tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127844502024-03-14T02:06:19.509+10:00Bahloo Down UnderJust a plain old blog that is almost always at risk of being abandoned.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-85730470679560898172007-12-19T00:00:00.000+10:002007-12-19T00:03:39.491+10:00ConfusedFor the first time in a long while, I feel like a kid again but not in a good way. I feel like a kid in the sense that I'm in situations I have no idea about and have no previous experience to call upon for a solution or reference. I can only hope that I don't piss off too many people while I try to figure out what it is I'm suppose to be doing.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-79882362794777191892007-08-18T12:38:00.000+10:002007-08-18T12:42:29.552+10:00Penang HokkienPenang Hokkien is a unique dialect of Hokkien unique to the north of Peninsular Malaysia, especially the island of Penang. It is the Hokkien I speak with my mom and sometimes, living in Australia, I miss listening to people speak this language. I've found this podcast of people all over world who speak Penang Hokkien. Check it out.<br /><br /><a href="http://penanghokkien.com/">http://penanghokkien.com/</a><br /><br />Enjoy listening to it.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-63129120003410997242007-07-21T17:45:00.000+10:002007-07-21T17:47:30.041+10:00WOW!!!Today I drove the best car I've ever driven in my life. It was quick, agile and totally chuckable and had dual climate control and funky rear seats that folded every which way but it drove like nothing I've ever driven before. No wonder the Stig rates it the best hot hatch.<br /><br />Now to win Gold Lotto to be able to afford the car.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1745776826825600752007-07-20T07:54:00.000+10:002007-07-20T07:56:39.187+10:00Quote of the Day<i>"The bumblebee, according to our engineers' calculations, cannot fly at all, but the bumblebee does not know this and flies" -- Igor Sikorsky, father of the modern day helicpoter.<br /></i>Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-61850408195298701712007-07-16T21:36:00.000+10:002007-07-16T21:41:19.729+10:00Best ManI've never been a best man before in my entire life and suddenly, within the course of a single year, I am the best man for 2 separate weddings, one for the brother of the friend........apparently I'm one of the few single people left they know and the second, for a good friend from Uni.<br /><br />I have to give a speech for both and neither can be insulting or I will be killed by the respective wifes to be. I'm not even allowed to get one of the grooms off his face (warning from wife-to-be). <br /><br />Anyway, here's hoping I figure out how to be a good best man. Either that, or I'll just growl my way through it.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-47935084216194863692007-06-16T21:49:00.000+10:002007-06-16T23:17:10.466+10:00A Bear Lost in the ArtsNext month, I will be watching either my 7th or 8th musical. I've lost count. It is going to be Miss Saigon and I'm looking forward to it. Ask me whether I like the arts and 11 years ago, I would have said no. Ask me that again now and I would say yes.<br /><br />My journey to the arts started off in the Art Gallery of South Australia. It was there that I first saw the sculptures of Rodin. Little did I know the story behind them at that point but I found it fascinating. I would later go to a Rodin exhibition in the Art Gallery of Singapore, where after spending half a day there, I learned more about Rodin and the fact that "The Thinker" (which I always thought was a sculpture of its own) was part of a much larger piece. A piece that was never completed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FvKJKl8D22g/RnPSLVKSzqI/AAAAAAAAALc/94NlfmUSZ1o/s1600-h/215px-Rent.PNG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FvKJKl8D22g/RnPSLVKSzqI/AAAAAAAAALc/94NlfmUSZ1o/s200/215px-Rent.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076632297077395106" border="0" /></a>My introduction to the world of musicals occurred much later, not in the last century but this one. It started with a cheap ticket (front row) to watch a local production of "Rent". Little did I realise how much I would like this musical that over the course of the past 6 years, I have seen it 3 times, in 2 different countries. Watching it in New York was certainly a highlight.<br /><br />Other musicals I have watched since then include "The Producers", "The Lion King", "Cats" and "Stomp". Calling "Stomp" a musical is probably a little incorrect but I'm not sure what else to call it.<br /><br />Recently, I tried something different yet again. I have now watched my first opera, Puccini's "Madama Butterfly". Admittedly, it was a little tough to get into at first, what with it being sung in Italian and all but by the end of the opera (once I managed to convince myself to stay at intermission or half-time as I call it), I actually kinda enjoyed it.<br /><br />So that's a short history of me and the arts. After Miss Saigon next month, I wonder what will be next. I figure I'll try a play next or maybe even the ballet.<br /><br />BTW, the Crows beat the Roos by a massive margin tonight. Go the Crows!!!Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-14326374609998438522007-05-26T17:41:00.000+10:002007-05-26T18:03:27.414+10:00A Bear's Guide to the MoviesOver the past 2 months, I have watched 3 movies. 2 hits and a really big miss. What's funny about the hits and the miss is that I would not have normally watched the hits and I was actually looking forward to the miss.<br /><br />First the hits. The first hit is a movie that I only found out after watching that it had won the Oscar for best foreign film. Yup, it's not even in English. It is called "The Lives of Other". A German movie with a really great story and acting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FvKJKl8D22g/Rlfm-Ie2IHI/AAAAAAAAALI/27SnxhUFtA4/s1600-h/800x600_01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FvKJKl8D22g/Rlfm-Ie2IHI/AAAAAAAAALI/27SnxhUFtA4/s320/800x600_01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068773860731920498" border="0" /></a>The second hit is a British film, "The History Boys". Again, another excellent movie. Good story, great acting. It balances both the sad and melancholic story with the sharp witty, somewhat understated humour that the British are excellent at. Both these movies had minimal stunts and no special effect, CGI effects and the like.<br /><br />Now the miss and this miss was really disappointing given how good its predecessors were. I'm writing about "Spiderman 3". If there was a crappier movie released this year, I haven't seen it yet. I have a feeling that "Transformers" might challenge Spiderman 3 for crapness but until I see it I can't say. What a pointless movie Spiderman 3 was. The story was horrible, esspecially for a Spiderman movie which always had better stories compared to other comic book turned movie stories. At the end of Spiderman 3, you didn't feel for Peter Parker. In fact, you think he was the world's biggest jerk and should just have been killed.<br /><br />In conclusion, if you are going to watch just one movie this year, let it not be Spiderman 3.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-60020332801955496892007-04-26T23:49:00.000+10:002007-04-26T23:56:01.763+10:00Movie to watch!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FvKJKl8D22g/RjCvTqe2BiI/AAAAAAAAAK4/5gH0yw7VArY/s1600-h/200px-The_Lives_of_Others_%28poster%29.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FvKJKl8D22g/RjCvTqe2BiI/AAAAAAAAAK4/5gH0yw7VArY/s320/200px-The_Lives_of_Others_%28poster%29.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057735133893101090" border="0" /></a>If, for some unknown reason, you only have money to watch a single movie this year, don't waste it on some American blockbuster crap. Watch "The Lives of Others". It is an excellent movie. It kept me glued to my seat for the entire 2 hours. Did I mention that it is in German and I don't understand a word of German. That's how good it is.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-66408201563511778402007-04-08T22:37:00.000+10:002007-04-08T22:43:28.191+10:00How to clean your car with Level 5 Water RestrictionsWith level 5 water restrictions coming into effect in 2 days time and my car being very dirty, I discovered a way to clean it today without using any town water at all. Also I didn't need one of those waterless car washes either. In fact, this method is free and requires only some good timing and muscle power.<br /><br />Things you need:<br />1. Dirty car. Preferably just normal road grime. Caked on mud might be too much for this method.<br />2. A downpour. Doesn't have to be heavy, just enough to make the entire car wet.<br />3. A rag. I prefer one of those high tech cloths but a normal rag will work as well.<br />4. Muscle power.<br /><br />Steps:<br />1. Drive dirty car or leave dirty car outside during a downpour.<br />2. Once sufficiently wet, drive dirty and wet car back into garage, carport, wherever the car is normally parked.<br />3. Take cloth and begin to wipe entire car. Here's where a high tech cloth comes in handy. The dirt sticks to it so when you wipe other parts of the car, you don't transfer dirt from one place to another.<br />4. Step back and admire you now clean car.<br /><br />Easy. Have fun.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-34895319666659807082007-03-18T16:47:00.000+10:002007-04-26T23:57:24.876+10:00Star Wars: Ryan vs DorkmanIt's only taken me 4 years to find out about this excellent piece of Star Wars Fan Film out there but now that I've found it, I want to share it. It is really excellent.<br /><br />Here's the original:<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8NE5elL30w4"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8NE5elL30w4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Here's the sequel:<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-is63goeBgc"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-is63goeBgc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Enjoy.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1789478006833491622007-02-16T02:28:00.000+10:002007-02-16T02:41:32.457+10:00Cars, Cars, CarsFirst of all, yes, I know it has been ages since anything has been posted on this blog. I've actually thought of abandoning this blog but I guess I still need something to do on sleepless nights.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FvKJKl8D22g/RdSKyKHIGkI/AAAAAAAAAKc/6sDWZBHzI-A/s1600-h/6286895.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FvKJKl8D22g/RdSKyKHIGkI/AAAAAAAAAKc/6sDWZBHzI-A/s320/6286895.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031799277992024642" border="0" /></a>Check this car out. It's a Holden Commodore SV6. It's got a 3.6 liter V6 pumping out around 175 kW of power and a boat load of torque. It's got a nice orange paint too. All I need is $39,000 to buy it. Anyone got $39,000 lying about they don't need and don't mind sharing with me?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FvKJKl8D22g/RdSMZ6HIGlI/AAAAAAAAAKk/g01UAkGyBDU/s1600-h/DSC00124-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FvKJKl8D22g/RdSMZ6HIGlI/AAAAAAAAAKk/g01UAkGyBDU/s320/DSC00124-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031801060403452498" border="0" /></a>Recently, I got my car, a nice Silver Colour Honda Civic, currently 8000 km on the clock serviced. It's the cars first major service. I left the car with the service centre and got it back the next day all clean and with new oil and other replaceable stuff replaced. Looks nice, doesn't it.<br /><br />Anyway, that's it for a rambling post. I wanted to post about something I just found out recently but it's too gross so I'll wait for another time to post it.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1164537889377665072006-11-26T20:38:00.000+10:002006-11-26T20:57:41.266+10:00Australian IdolI'm sitting in my living room watching the Finals of Australian Idol. I'll admit up front that I don't have much reference when it comes to the Idol shows as I don't really care much for it. I've seen bits of American Idol, throw up when watching Singapore Idol (it is that bad!) and now Australian Idol. <br /><br />What I've noticed from the 3 Idols is that Australian Idol is the only Idol I've seen that is less concerned about looks. The good looking guys and girls only made if as far as the final 3 and the station didn't have to resort to showing ads without their faces on it.<br /><br />In fact, they have performances from the Australian Idols from previous years and most of them are not really good looking or fit. The guys all have a little pot belly or really bad hair. The girls are slightly overweight and only in Australia would the 2 finalist make their grand entrance on a horse drawn cart standing on have being led in by about half a dozen cowboys.<br /><br />Glad there is still a country where looks aren't everything in the Idol world.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1163946455290579712006-11-20T00:21:00.000+10:002006-11-20T00:27:35.306+10:00UpdateIt been a long while since I last added a new entry to this blog, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I've been living a new life for the past 6 months and all the excitement and adventure of a new life has yet to get old on me. Secondly, I have other things that fill my life now that the original reason this blog was born, boredom, really isn't a big thing now.<br /><br />The one thing has been on my mind lately is what would you consider a rite of passage? When is it or what is it that defines when a boy is no longer a boy but has become a man in his own right, no longer dependent on his parents, able to stand on his 2 feet.<br /><br />I think for a lot of people, this moment comes when they get their first job and move out of home, but is this definition correct? Do we all become men and no longer boys when we leave home? <br /><br />In my mind, this rite of passage happens not when you leave home but when you no longer depend on your parents to make decisions. When you are fully capable of making up your mind on your own. When you destiny is yours to choose.<br /><br />What do you think?Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1160255951205036112006-10-08T07:15:00.000+10:002006-10-08T07:19:11.216+10:00iTunesI have just discovered the beauty of iTunes. For the longest time, I've always wondered what the fuss was about iTunes. I guess living in a country that didn't have access to an iTunes store didn't help much with that perception either. <br /><br />Now that I have access to an iTunes store, I have to admit it is good. Being able to buy just the songs I like instead of the whole album is great and at only $1.69 a song, it's not that painful on the pocket.<br /><br />There's going to be people out there that will say, "why buy when you can download". I think if there was a legal option that was decent, then buy. If there wasn't, then I'm with them. Get your music whichever way you can.<br /><br />For me, that way is now iTunes.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1158964477783227122006-09-23T08:32:00.000+10:002006-09-23T08:34:37.800+10:00EgosurfingEgosurfing - Scanning the Net, databases, etc., for one’s own name.<br /><br />I did just that recently and found that there is town in California that shares my name. It's not the biggest town in the world having a population of only 1621 people but it's a town and it has my name.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1158584607753742382006-09-18T22:55:00.000+10:002006-09-18T23:03:27.793+10:00The Pope and The QuoteI could do a really long dissection over what the Pope said and how he was wrong to say and that is was bad and stuff and so forth and so on but I won't. Instead I just want to point something out which I think is pretty ironic.<br /><br />To quote the Pope who quoted Byzantine emperor Manuel II Palaeologus:<br /><br />“Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and then you shall find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”<br /><br />End quote.<br /><br />So the Muslim world comes out and takes offence at the quote used. Are they wrong to do that? Of course not. <br /><br />What I think is ironic though, is that apart from the usual ruckus and protest this quote caused, Muslim in some parts of the world attacked churches and killed a nun.<br />By doing so, they have just proven that what the Pope quoted is correct and very true. Islam appears to be a religion where violence against innocent non-Muslims is accepted and apparently not a contradiction to a "God that is most forgiving; most merciful."<br /><br />What is our world coming to?Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1158231601431187572006-09-14T20:48:00.000+10:002006-09-14T21:00:01.460+10:00Action and ReactionsThere are articles and stories floating out in the internet that I wouldn't have given 2 hoots about until they get the author and publisher sued. Suddenly, there this mad desire to read the original article, just to see what the big deal is. This is normally followed by either 2 reactions:<br /><br />1) Utter amazement that I didn't realize this before and am glad for the libel suit to bring up this fact. An example of this would be the NKF libel suit against SPH.<br /><br />2) Disbelief that anyone would even bother suing because of this.....and followed by a sinking suspicion of why are they suing in the first place. Maybe this guy is on to something.<br /><br />An example of reaction 2) happened today when I read the following 2 articles.<br /><br />First, the article in the Straits Times that piqued my interest: <br /><a href="http://www.asiaone.com/st/st_20060914_46712.html">PM, MM sue Feer for defamation</a><br /><br />Secondly, the article that resulted in the lawsuit in the first place:<br /><a href="http://www.feer.com/articles1/2006/0607/free/p024.html">Singapore’s ‘Martyr,’ Chee Soon Juan</a><br /><br />After reading the FEER article, I failed to see what the big deal was. To most people, me included, CSJ is just some "idiot" that doesn't know better and still believes that violence or as he puts it 'civil disobedience' can create change. Most of the time, he comes of sounding like a 10 year old who hasn't thought through what he wants to say.<br /><br />So he gives this interview to the FEER. So what? If they didn't sue the FEER in the first place, I would have never read it and couldn't care less. Now, I can't help but wonder.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1157974593542614812006-09-11T21:18:00.000+10:002006-09-11T21:38:49.503+10:00A Car Named Dusty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1144/403/1600/P8121997_edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1144/403/400/P8121997_edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />My car is now 2 months and 14 days old. It has done slightly over 2000 kilometers and the gone for its first service. So far, so good. The engine has started running better once it went over the 2000 km mark on the odometer. Fuel economy is quite good, averaging 500km or so on a tank of regular petrol. No need for the premium stuff. <br /><br />The car handles quite well, even over rough coarse chip roads. For a Honda, which a notorious for not having much steering feel, the Civic has better than expected steering feel. In fact, I think the wheel is actually a little under assisted, which I prefer. <br /><br />Nothing has broken or fallen off. Everything works fine. I still haven't found a way to hook my iPod up to the stereo but that's more from my reluctance to spend $300 on an Dension Icelink.<br /><br />I have no idea how much space is in the rear as I have never sat there. It's pretty much a nicely upholstered parcel shelf in the car. I've noticed that the 'A' pillars are really thick and it took some getting use to but once you've gotten used to it, the brain kinda fills in the blanks.<br /><br />Until the next major car milestone. <br /><br />BTW, the car is named Dusty for 2 reasons. Firstly, it is in memory of a pet dachshund of mine, also named Dusty, that has now gone to Doggy Heaven. Secondly, my brother said the name was appropriate because the car was really dusty. I haven't cleaned it for a while.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1157379617470776422006-09-05T00:07:00.000+10:002006-09-05T00:20:17.816+10:00Crocodile Hunter Rest in PeaceThe news today is that the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, died today after being stab by a stingray in Far North Queensland. He is only the 3rd reported case of a fatality due to a stingray recorded in Australia. You can cheat on a lot of things but you cannot cheat fate. <br /><br />The news on all channels today dedicated at least 10 minutes to him, a good 1/3 of the 1/2 hour news. On top of that, the current affairs programmes all did a segment on him. The Premier of Queensland made a statement. Even the Prime Minister had something to say. Flowers were being laid at the entrance to Australia Zoo and this continued way into the night. If anything, he appeared to be a man that has touched almost every strata of society, from the powerful to the normal person on the street.<br /><br />Watching the news and seeing the reaction of the people here, it made me wonder if there was any celebrity back home, be it in the little red dot or the larger country above it, that if they were to suddenly pass away, there would be such an outpouring of emotion? <br /><br />If Dick Lee passed away, would anyone care? If Siti Nurhaliza's life was tragically cut short, would most people bother? Would the Prime Minister make a statement? The Crocodile Hunter was larger than life. Does anyone back home even come close?Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1157273722976097102006-09-03T18:45:00.000+10:002006-09-03T18:55:22.993+10:00RiverfireLast night I witnessed one of the most spectacular fireworks displays I've ever seen in my life. Imagine an almost 2 kilometer long stretch of river and 3 bridges, and multiple buildings in the CBD, all lit up from a half-hour long fireworks display. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1144/403/1600/normal_1125913114.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1144/403/320/normal_1125913114.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />For me the highlight of the fireworks display was the fact that the RAAF actually had 2 F-111 do a dump and burn barely 300 meters of the ground. That was truly spectacular. <br /><br />They also had the acrobatic team and these were doing loops around the city and flying really low and all......and the best part of it all, this display wasn't for National Day, it wasn't to celebrate some special event. It was just for the opening ceremony of the River Festival, a 10 day event celebrating the river that is in the middle of the city I live in.<br /><br />I think, to me, that the ability to do things of this magnitude for something as simple a River Festival makes this country way better than the last one I was in. Not having to justify every single thing, to me, leads to a more creative and vibrant society.<br /><br />PS. Just my 2 cents worth.....now worth more given the current exchange rate.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1154130019732293752006-07-29T09:36:00.000+10:002006-07-29T09:42:57.690+10:00Wheels Part 2This is a short post to introduce the world to my very first car.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1144/403/1600/DSC00124-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1144/403/400/DSC00124-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I know that people don't normally name their cars....but I'm thinking of naming mine.<br /><br />Going for a drive now.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1153225010554656202006-07-18T22:14:00.000+10:002006-07-18T22:17:06.896+10:00What The ....There is a town in New Zealand called Whakatane.<br /><br />Go to Wiki and find out how that's pronouced.<br /><br />For the lazy people, here's the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whakatane">link</a> to the Wiki article.<br /><br />It's a hoot.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1151345229376488772006-06-27T03:56:00.000+10:002006-06-27T04:07:09.390+10:00My 2 Cents on SoccerThis World Cup to me has been a little strange, almost elitist in a way. I know some people will beg to differ but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. <br /><br />There appears to be a few countries which fall under the football elite. This in itself is not strange as every sport has countries that are better in it than others. What is strange is the way FIFA, via the referee's seem to be going about making sure these countries stay elite and not let anyone else beat them. <br /><br />The refereeing decisions for most part this world cup has been at be mediocre and at worst a complete farce. But then I'm Asian so I have a different answer to why the refereeing decisions are so bad.<br /><br />Firstly, the referees are mostly middle age men who are probably going through a mid-life crisis. Why else would they make themselves run for 90 minutes trying to keep in control a group of 22 men at least 20 years younger than they are? Also, there are no substitute referee so he can't take a rest even if he gets tired.<br /><br />Secondly, they probably don't get paid a hell of a lot of money or not enough anyway to do this refereeing thing. So maybe some are a bit disgruntled.<br /><br />Thirdly, there is a lot of money being bet on the World Cup. A HUGE amount of money.<br /><br />So the conclusion I'm getting at in this World Cup.<br /><br />"REFEREE KELONG"Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1151147127089859922006-06-24T18:44:00.000+10:002006-06-27T04:12:00.966+10:00WheelsThe ongoing saga in my attempt to buy a car, my first car, the car I have been dreaming of since I left uni, the car a small red dot denied me, the car that motivated me to finish among the top in my class in uni, etc, etc, etc.<br /><br />So, today was the day I decided I was to decide on which car maker would get my hard earned blood, sweat and tears and provide me with my very first car. <br /><br />Some background first. For the pass couple of weeks, I've been trying to decided which car to get. The options have been pretty much narrowed down to either a Mazda 3, Ford Focus or Honda Civic. <br /><br />Back to today. With a friend in tow, more for car colour selection (which means said friend is female), I went to test drive cars. Along the walk from my place to the car showroom, I passed by a Citroen showroom. I stopped, walked in and ask to test drive a C4. <br /><br />A short review of the C4. <br />a) It is French and it is Citroen (meaning there is some stuff in the car which just does not make sense). <br />b) The steering wheel is a button and knob fest. I counted atleast 12 buttons and 4 knobs on the central hub (which by the way does not turn when you turn the wheel). None of these are clearly marked so it's more like hit a button and hope you don't kill the engine.<br />c) The car tries to be too smart. Go down a hill and it holds the last speed you where moving at when you foot left the pedal. Try to go to fast and it stops you. <br />d) Given all that tech inside, the interior sure was damn ugly.<br />e) 4 speed auto plus a gutless 2 liter means the car is ponderous. No fun to drive at all.<br />f) The funky ad with the funky dancing robot does not equate to a funky car to drive.<br /><br />So, it was on to Honda after that. Along the way, we went past Volkwagen so I figure I would take a sit in the new Golf. It was ok but it doing do anything for me. Guess I'm not fan of teutonic (boring) German interior design. I'm sure it is a pretty good drive but it's not going to be my first car.<br /><br />Next to VW was Honda. I went in and in under 5 minutes, I was test driving a Honda Civic VTi-L Auto in Black. I would like to get a black car but I do realise it is next to impossible to keep clean. <br /><br />UPDATE!!!<br />At 12:30 pm on the 26th of June 2006, I paid the deposit for my first car. A silver moss coloured Honda Civic VTi-L, with a 5 speed automatic, 6 CD stacker in the dash, steering wheel buttons, alloy wheels, reverse sensors, side airbags and a 1.8l engine.<br /><br />The car arrives in August.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12784450.post-1149949790431574932006-06-11T00:19:00.000+10:002006-06-11T00:29:50.443+10:00A New BeginningYes, before anyone mentions it, the title is cliche. I could not think of a better one. Anyways, this entry is just a short note on the difference moving from one city to another can make.<br /><br />1. Starting the whole friend making thing all over again. After 6 years in one place, you find out that you have a whole lot of friends. Moving to a new job, in a new city, in a new country, you find that the number of friends you have can be counted with the fingers on one hand.....and there are still fingers to spare.<br /><br />2. Trying to figure out which car to buy. Previously for me, it wasn't what car to buy but more like can I afford it and is it worth it. Right now, I can afford it and it is worth it but I can't decide which one to get.<br /><br />3. Cooking. I'm not a great cook. My idea of cooking involves throwing stuff at random into a pan and hoping it works out. So far, the fried rice was ok but I doubt anyone apart from me would eat it.<br /><br />4. Food. Give me Chinese, Malay, Indian food. There's only so much Western food I can take. I always knew this would be the one major thing I would miss so I guess I'm more prepared for it than I though.<br /><br />5. Tax and health. People, if you belong to a country where the government has a good idea on how to do taxes and health, be thankful. I now belong to a country where tax is a real pain because it was designed by accountants who got bullied in school and decided to take it out on everyone now. Healthcare is neither privatised nor is it government run. It's this 'rojak' mixture. I've seen 'rojak' healthcare that works well. This isn't one of them.<br /><br />After all that, if someone asked me if I would rather have not moved to a new country to start a new life, I would say no. The sacrifices I made to come here, I know will be worth the pain in the long run.Bahloohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957840335609856346noreply@blogger.com0