Weeding Operation

I really abuse my fingertips.

It's the Operasi Lalang in my parents' house that is to blame.

But the operation was worth it. I mean, really.

It's an awful lot of weed that accumulate within 14 years. And I got it all out in 3 1-hour sessions. 2 of the sessions I do by myself.

And then, I washed the jagged brick tiles, or mostly half of it. Washing the mosses in between the bricks.

Next time, weeding the flower pots. This one may not take that many sessions, I think.

Acer Back

My Acer is back.

I lost all data, by the way.

It's good though. I just probably need a new start. Though with the same laptop.

Acer Acts

OK now my Acer acts up.

It won't boot up.

Probably a good time too, since it's still under warranty.

May head to the service center today.

Music Duration Test

I have thought about doing a duration test to the Sony Ericsson Z530i under my custody (it's my mum's actually) to prove whether its worthy enough for a long haul trip. Entertainment is a necessity you see.

The battery, meanwhile, is not its original, but comes from a donor W300i damaged by the flickering WSOD (white screen of Death) courtesy of my youngest brother. This will also mean I will do another test using the original battery as well soon.

This test involves playing music from its fullest battery down to some percentage left, which may be necessary to do calls. It involves using the biggest available headphone, the bulky yet worthy Sony MDR-85 I bought in 1997, which still tops all my mobile entertainment stock in terms of sound and clarity. The volume used a majority of the time is 75 percent, which varies plus minus 8 percent mean.

Battery status starts at 96 percent, and ends around 20-ish percent.

By the way, I don't really listen in most of the time. I just start the test and put it aside.

The official result: 9 hours.

After the battery stabilizes, several minutes after music is turned off, the battery capacity is around 23 percent.

I can safely say I could bring the whole entertainment gear to a remote site anywhere within Malaysia West.

I may test a 100 percent volume duration test next.

WM To CM

I feel so bored waiting for the LRT, I suddenly thought about this impromptu test I had wanted to do since long ago, but forgot.

I wanted to see how long is the whole trip from Wangsa Maju to Central Market LRT.

I even counted how long the doors opened for all stations.

These are the results.

Stopwatch starts when the doors slam shut at Wangsa Maju, till the door opens in Central Market.

Total time: 21 minutes and some seconds.

Duration of door longest: 45 seconds at Masjid Jamik

Duration of door shortest: 14 seconds at all stations from Setiawangsa to Damai, and Kg Baru

Duration of door others: 40 seconds for KLCC, 35 seconds for Ampang Park, 20 seconds Dang Wangi

Thank you and good night.

Decaffeinating

I have to admit, I am addicted to coffee.

I drank quite a lot of that stuff.

Sometimes I see myself downing 4 mugs per day.

That's excessive.

So my first resolution for next year, less caffeine. Other than, less monetary expenses that is.

I have cut down quite a lot lately. Strictly one cup per day. Regardless of how healthy the coffee is.

Maybe in a week or two, I will have it every other day.

In time, once every three days.

Coffee's bad I know. But like Maya Karin said...

The Replacement

Since Nik's absence, I have been contemplating on a replacement, albeit a much cheaper one.

And I have really considered a film SLR instead.

So a few weeks ago, I got me a Nikon F90.

This will mean that I have to be more careful everytime I shoot. No more playful snaps, only costly exposed rolls.

I even have processed my first film 2 weeks ago. I guess I will try to scan them whenever I have access to a scanner (like, at my parents' home).

But, I have to admit, I have hiccups at first, just like I used to back in 1997. But, lesson learnt.

Living Easy

I am currently slowly getting rid of my hobbies, one by one.

The first to go will most probably be my Tamiya Mini.

Then the Shell Ferrari cars.

Then the car books.

And maybe my CDs and cassettes.

But I will still keep some. My Mini (yep it's quite a hobby), my Nikon.

But really, I have to ease off so much. I simply can't afford it anymore. I have to shed the excess baggages.

I guess it's just about time I start over.

Umrah Hair Still

I can't wait for my hair to grow to its normal again.

But that's probably it.

It will remind me about my umrah session.

And I guess I will always..

Cult Favorites

Lately I'm so into The Cult.

Ian and Billy did a great job. Though Britisher, they convey the Native American theme very well in their music.

And Billy's playing is very anthemic, it reminds me of Andy LaRocque sometimes.

So here's my The Cult playlist, and it's very suitable as a driving music.

Spiritwalker
She Sells Sanctuary
Love
Rain
Nirvana
Love Removal Machine
Wild Flower
Big Neon Glitter
Edie
Sweet Soul Sister
Soldier Blue

Yes I am still the hard rock type like I used to.

M Vitamin

I don't update much anymore.

I guess mood changes. Obviously.

This needs some impetus. And I don't have any at the moment.

Or is this a lack of the M Vitamin? Maybe...

Old Habits Die Hard

Two things I have yet to change.

Procrastination..

Impatience..


Hopefully I'll get over both by the time this posting is published.

Yearly Shave?

It's been exactly a month, I think, since I shaved my head.

I probably liked the feeling, if a bit.

Maybe I will make it my yearly hair rejuvenation session.

It's also a way to check my bald spots, which thankfully, I don't currently have.

Tiny Likes To Drive

Muzfirah, just like her siblings, loves car rides.

She's really relaxed while in the car, and in her bassinet. Yes, we had mostly no problem during Raya excursions. Except for some minors regarding his brothers.

Just like her brothers.

Lovely kids.

Yes, them investments..

Nik Is Gone

I have sold Nik the D40.

And now I miss the mirror slaps.

I guess in no time, I will get another Nik.

For now, I am sticking to my Z my sister borrowed.

Salam AidilfITRI everybody!

Miss The Holy Land

What I miss most during my umrah, are these few things.

• Shaikh Sudais' emotional recital of the Quran during prayers
  
• Being able to guzzle (yep) the Zamzam water anytime
• Madinah's friendlier and less hectic life compared to Makkah
• The masjid being full everytime
• The cheap shopping costs
  

Maybe if AirAsia offers anything like a RM1000 per round trip, I will go again.

I think I am having jetlag. Hopefully this won't last.

Back From Umrah

I am back.

And I brought a few things too. Including a Makkah flu. Heheh..

All in all, it was a very interesting trip, historical and very spiritual in nature.

I only wish I can go again.

But if ever I am allowed to choose, I'll definitely choose Madinah.

Umrah

Will head for Arab Saudi tomorrow.

First stop, Madinah, for at most five days.

Then, to Makkah for probably a week.

Let's see how it goes.

Wow!

Briefs

Siblings sleeping together. Note sheer size difference.




Up close, personal, and awaken..

Exciting New Beginning

Been a while since I last updated.

So here I am, a father of three!

Muzfirah was born exactly 10 days ago.

She weighs 3.08kg, I would love to just say 3.1kg.

And we got ourselves a new house. We moved probably three weeks ago, if I remembered correctly.

Thus some changes needs making.

I am selling my gear. I already sold my long lens. And I feel like selling my Nikon D40 now. The remote control Mini will have to go as well.

Maybe my life will start over once again, but for the moment, I will have to let my daughter live her life first.

It's a sad end I know, but it's an exciting new beginning as well.