Archive | 2004

Blogging….it’s the pwn!

‘Blog’ picked as word of the year

The term “blog” has been chosen as the top word of 2004 by a US dictionary publisher.

Merriam-Webster said “blog” headed the list of most looked-up terms on its site during the last twelve months.

During 2004 blogs, or web logs, have become hugely popular and some have started to influence mainstream media.

Source: BBC News

On a similar note, Google is already blogging[/url] and Microsoft has just started.

As for me I did another stupid test haha…

Your Brain Usage Profile:

Auditory : 27%
Visual : 72%
Left : 50%
Right : 50%

Shaolin, you exhibit an even balance between left- and right- hemisphere dominance and a slight preference for visual over auditory processing. With a score this balanced, it is likely that you would have slightly different results each time you complete this self-assessment quiz.

You are a well-rounded person, distinctly individualistic and artistic, an active and multidimensional learner. At the same time, you are logical and disciplined, can operate well within an organization, and are sensitive towards others without losing objectivity.

You are organized and goal-directed. Although a “thinking” individual, you “take in” entire situations readily and can act on intuition.

You sometimes tend to vacillate in your learning styles. Learning might take you longer than someone of equal intellect, but you will tend to be more thorough and retain the material longer than those other individuals. You will alternate between logic and impulse.

This vacillation will not normally be intentional or deliberate, so you may experience anxiety in situations where you are not certain which aspect of yourself will be called on.

With a slight preference for visual processing, you tend to be encompassing in your perceptions, process along multidimensional paths and be active in your attacking of situations or learning.

You too can take the test HERE.

Other than that…have been watching students final presentations all day…damn sleepy now. Had some good food last night, deep fried Brie with cranberry sauce followed by a 360g steak! Woah, yeah you heard it right, check the beauty out (slightly bloody as it should be)..

Here is me demolishing what is left of the Brie..

The pics are a bit blur because it was a dim, candle lit kinda place full of gwailohs drinking wine (ang moh cha), *rolls his eyes*.

Other than that not much, apart from the torture I gave the students today with my super hard questions *evil grin* and the fact they don’t believe I am no good at anything any more…

They asked me if I want to go bowling, I’m like..yeah but I’m not very good..they said “Are you SURE? You said that about pool…”

Laters!

Continue Reading · 3 Comments · Food/Eating, General Nonsense

More salty Indian food, yay…NOT

Ok so what’s been up since the hacking comp, nothing much as per usual haha

I gave the students some feedback forms, got pretty much what I expected, for some reason people always rate my Knowledge – Excellent..the rest I know not so great, like presentation skills.

The main comment through-out though was more practical demonstration…which means more hand holding, as I’ve discussed previousl, am not really into this and I explained it to them and why I tried to do things that way. They seemed to understand. I basically said I wanted to teach them how to learn, not teach them how to do a, b & c exactly like this..because the tools and exploits will be different in 6 months so the only common ground is the methodology and the concepts behind it. Oh well, I hope they appreciate my intent, I’m trying to make them think and really learn…not just be another set of robots that can only do a limited set of tasks. By learning to learn they will overcome new problems and embrace new technology, not get totally stuck when something out of the ‘norm’ occurs.

So following that I did some practical demonstrations today, one penetrating and taking over Windows and one for Linux, lot’s of “Woo” “AwwwAhhh” and “Wows” as expected hehe. Hopefully they learnt something.

Last night went to the company Raya thing, had some makan, some prize draw, the students and staff singing some songs (I managed to escape thankfully), some speeches, normal kinda thing…exactly those kind of things I don’t want to go but have to hehe, oh well it’s not like I have much else to do here 🙂

After that went home and went online till far too late, slept till noon today, feel great today thanks!

I have to give Brunei one thing though, their free Wireless coverage is awesome, shopping centre food court, most coffee shops, small cafes etc all have Wireless. I mean it’s not that great a claim as the country is so small, it’s population is probably like one suburb of KL. I will have to start abusing free wireless more often in KL until I get my StimX..Makes me feel so cosmopolitan too, sitting in a cafe, drinking a pansy yuppy coffee and surfing the web on my laptop.

My friend MSN’ed me when I was in Kopi Bin and asked me where I was, what was going on etc…so I dutifully told him..it went down something like this:

Friend: “Woah, you are so part of the International business man set now”
ST: “Yup, I spend most of my time sitting in Coffee Bean in various sunny locations around the world ogling pretty girls and surfing on my laptop”
Friend: “OMG you fucking bastard”

LOL!

Went to the crappy, salty Indian place again for lunch today…man I’ll be glad to see the back of that place, REAL GLAD. Also more and more people have been telling me how nice Sri Lanka is, the beaches etc and the food is really awesome apparently…sounds like a half holiday 🙂

Have enjoyed my time with the students, they are a jovial, playful bunch so it’s been cool, just the times outside of class and especially the weekends have been tough. It wasn’t so bad after Ramadan was over, at least they could take me out and we went for cinema and dinner and stuff. The past couple of weeks I’ve found something else to amuse myself with too. Will miss them, especially those that made my life here more bearable, thanks guys. Hope to see you in KL!

Oh yeah got another random e-mail from a blog stalker about the Life..pain..hurt[/url] post and he sent me this, which is nice so I thought I’d post it here:

A message for life….

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win, but think you can’t,
It is almost certain that you wont.

If you think you will lose, you are lost.
For out of this World we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will,
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go to
The stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later the man,
Who wins is the man,
Who thinks he can…

Bruce Lee

Continue Reading · 7 Comments · General Nonsense

Face thy devil or he getteth stronger..

Being here has given me a lot of time for contemplating my life and self discovery, in a way I’ve worked out it’s actually a good thing, kind of a revelation I guess.

The problem is when you are ‘home’ or in a familiar place, when you feel down, depressed or a little lacking in sunshine you go out, find your friends, find something to do and avoid the feelings, replace them with happy feelings. For most cases this is fine…but when the depressing or bad feelings are caused by a more serious root problem you really can’t afford to keep avoiding it.

Here I didn’t have those options, so just sat on the step a lot of time, smoking and thinking, exploring myself, something like self-discovery..I think this is an important activity for everyone, I guess some people would classify it as meditation..Looking inside rather than out, exploring yourself rather than blaming others, you have to beat your own devils before you can take on the world. It’s important for everyone to truly understandand and love themselves, be at peace, know what makes you tick, what you desire and what it is exactly that is making you feel bad about yourself. Don’t just avoid it as it will only get stronger.

Something like fighting those inner devils, we all have them, some times they are bigger than others, sometimes they are just passing ripples of something unimportant, sometimes they are ripples caused by something bigger and deeper…self doubt, self hate, self blame. Don’t let such things consume you, address them, work them out, face thy devil..

As I always tell everyone, communication is always the key, in relationships, at work and with friends. I am blessed, I can communicate. This post is about communication too, but in a way most people don’t consider, learning to communicate with yourself. I guess for women it’s not so bad, but a lot of guys are not in touch with their own feelings and they end up getting all fucked inside and being bastards…or getting horribly depressed and doing terrible things..just from what I’ve seen anyway.

I guess the lesson for today is, be there a problem at work, in your relationship or with yourself…deal with it, face it and own it. Don’t let it dictate how you life your life, problems are obstacles to be conquered, not issues to be avoided as this just feeds them and causes them to swell…like an ice berg, 1/6th of the problem could be above the surface…the rest you have to explore yourself. Don’t be afraid to open up bigger issues, as they need to be addressed too.

Anyway hope you don’t feel like I am preaching or something…just wanted to express what I have to say 🙂 Hope it’s understood..

Other than that things have been normal here, am sitting here in Coffee Bean, Gadong having a Black Forest ice blended mocha. We held a Capture the Flag type of hacking competition yesterday which was fun. My students did pretty well, so I guess perhaps they learnt something after all 🙂

Half day today as they are rehearsing for the Raya celebration tonight, so I am here doing some marking and preparing for the Colombo assignment!

Looks like I’ll be off to Colombo December 11th, 6 days a week, 21 working days…so gonna JUST miss NYE by the looks of it.

Oh well!

Back to KL soon anyway, really looking forward to it and getting excited about arriving back already.

Cooked some bizarre psuedo-Indian Mediteranean vegetable thing last night, I didn’t take pics as it didn’t look so good, but it tasted pretty fine. I manage ok, give me any number of weird items and I’ll concoct something edible (some other people have this talent too I guess).

Anyway got some mails to reply, so laters!

Continue Reading · 2 Comments · Deep Thoughts

You are from Mercury


You Are From Mercury

You are talkative, clever, and knowledgeable – and it shows.
You probably never leave home without your cell phone!
You’re witty, expressive, and aware of everything going on around you.
You love learning, playing, and taking in all of what life has to offer.
Be careful not to talk your friends’ ears off, and temper your need to know everything.
Continue Reading · 9 Comments · General Nonsense

Sun, Sand, Sea and Smiles…

Ok I meant to write this yesterday but I was busy writing the stupid question paper hehe..Oh well I finally finished it at 2.30am…so I’m kind of tired now *yawn*

Warning photo heavy post.

Was in an excellent mood again yesterday and had a good nights sleep with some nice peaceful dreams, which makes a change hahaha..

Went out around to lunch time to Kuala Belait for an open house, Kuala Belait is almost on the border of Brunei next to Miri, it’s really very quiet. It’s around 90km from where I stay.

We had some good food

Some company and some laughs

Man this guys house was seriously nice

Check out the looks, he’s got it done up something like I would like it

After that we drove around a bit and checked out the scenes, Kuala Belait has a beach so we went there and saw the 1 billion barrel monument

The beach is fairly nice

I also managed to kick off my Beautiful Skies photo gallery with a couple of nice shots yesterday, I have loads of these on the fried PC so look forwards to seeing the whole collection.

There are more photos in the Brunei Trip album in the Gallery.

On a different note it’s nice to finally be in an actual good mood again, I got the feeling back to entertain people and was making everyone laugh…I think the funk is clearing 🙂 Thanks. Things don’t look so dark and dismal anymore, there is a sunshine after the rain and I’ve only got 7 more days left here woooo, 28 gone already! Am SO looking forwards to going back!

So back to KL, fix up my appartment and off to Colombo I go by the looks of it. I think it’s pretty much confirmed now.

Ok am going to have breakfast now so catch you all laters.

Continue Reading · 4 Comments · Brunei, Food/Eating, Trips & Travel

Drunk, drunk and happy?!?

OMG…I sniffed a beer and got dizzy..

No really I’m actually drunk and I feel good, I’m in a great mood..partially because of unleashing my fury in that weird post last night (weight off my shoulders), partially because I’m drunk for the first time in almost a month (woo-fucking-hoo) and partially because of some other things..

WOW, what happened?? Did it rain beer in that godforsaken place? No my dears..it was all an evil plot to get me intoxicated. I was meant to go to KK if you recall, but I didn’t as my passport was with immigration, after all they didn’t extend my visa, they asked me to go out and come back anyway…bastards so my trip to KK was ruined for nothing. Anyway I was planning to go out, maybe to Miri, but one of the guys said why so far? Just go to Limbang, it’s near by..so today, dutifully after class of we went.

Sunny hot day, awesome time for drinking lots of beers, woo!

Look I don’t care what you say, ANY OF YOU, I am popular really look at all my buddies…

Wooohahaha (yes this is officially a drunken post..)

What’s more we had some pretty good chicken wings, beer….chicken wings, smoking and talking nonsense, what more can you ask for in life? (Not much obviously..whilst I’m here anyway, although there is definately something else I want). And yes I am a happy drunk, I dont get all angry and shit, I just get more crazy, dance a lot and say a lot of funny shit..

The guy I was with was really cool, even though I felt a bit bad, he’s a Muslim local so he can’t drink, but he dutifully sat by and watched me and another chinese guy get a little tipsy. Thanks man, appreciate that a lot. I bought a few cans back and a carton of smokes, pretty cheap over there. Rumours are though Labuan is even cheaper, 70 bucks for a bottle of Chivas, schweeeet!

Anyway I am developing a slight headache now…I haven’t eaten properly since breakfast and I think I need some food and water..so off I go. Don’t worry no drunken rambling in this post, I got it all out last night 🙂

Thank you human beings for creating alchohol, it’s a wonderful thing.

Continue Reading · 8 Comments · Brunei, Malaysia, Trips & Travel

Life…pain….hurt….teeth and gems.

Ok…well I haven’t really written anything serious on this blog yet, I mean there are 2-3 posts I think so far in very general terms..this one will be a lot more personal and probably a lot more disjointed. Be warned, it’s likely to be long.

You’ll have to bear with me I’m afraid..I’d also guess this will get none or very few comments as those meaningful topics[/url] seem to get none..and those bullshit topics[/url] seem to get loads 😛

Anyway, on to life, teeth and gems..I am pretty exhausted now too, I haven’t had enough sleep this week and it’s taking it’s toll, actually I should be asleep now, but well I just felt like posting some of the random swirls of nonsense clouding up my mind. Some people say I’m wise beyond my years, I have no idea…sometimes I feel that way sometimes I dont, you can read what I have to say and form your opinion, you are more than entitled to it.

Onto life…life is strange, when it’s crappy it’s really crappy, seriously..The cliched adage “When it rains it pours” is so true. When it rains it’s fucking torrential, it unleashes the most miserable hell fury possible. When you are down in life most people kick you, tread on you or the most common just act plain apathetic and pass you by like you don’t exist. This is human nature, this is what we’ve evolved into, this is why we’ve become the top of the food chain?

I’m sorry but fuck that it’s bullshit.

People need to start caring about themselves (no not how much money they earn or what car they drive), the people around them and society as a whole..if one of your friends is in trouble, lend some support, give them a friendly face to look at, give them some kind words to digest, be there for them. It doesn’t cost anything but time, don’t underestimate the value of good friends.

I am thankfully fortunate to have a great set of friends who really care for me, who were there for me every day when I needed them and said and did the right things. You all know who you are and I can never thank you enough for that. Suffice to say I’ve had a really shitty time recently, it’s passing over now..mostly thanks to the support I got.

My time is Brunei has give me a lot of space to think, to collect my thoughts to sort my life out and get back on track..To contemplate who I was, who I am now, where I was and where I want to go..I was on some kind of track long ago but I got trapped, I got tunnel vision, I didn’t have any way to escape, I realise that now…*sigh* 20/20 hindsight is a powerfully frustrating and useless thing. Life twists and turns…It’s no good being on the right track if you just sit there and do nothing….as with my post previously, don’t just sit and let your life pass by, don’t let yourself be unhappy to make someone else happy…because at the end of it, ultimately you will both end up unhappy, resenting each other and all fucked up. Don’t take anything for granted, because the next moment it could be gone, everything could be shattered. Appreciate the people around you, thank them for what they do…do something for them without expecting something in return.

This may sound like doom and gloom, but I would like to say whatever you may think, however reserved you may feel..dare to fail, there is nothing worse than not trying at all, you may regret it forever, at least if you try and fail, you know you gave it your all, no regrets, no lingering thoughts, no headfucks. This also boils down to if you are going to do something, do it, don’t hedge your bets just incase, because you want an easy way…following this, if you say you’ll do something, please please do it…words are easy to say, but they mean a lot to some people. Above all if you make a promise, a real true promise, keep it…

Everything is a balance, yin and yang, dark and light, we have to feel pain to enjoy please and all that, it’s all cheesy yet true..there is a balance in the Universe in some strange way, if not it would have self-combused or imploded years ago. There is Karma, although most of the time it doesn’t feel like it, we even somehow believe in it in the west with sayings such as “What goes around comes around“. Most the time life just feels unfair, “Lifes a bitch, then you marry one then you die“..In saying this though, too many people bitch about their lives, moan about menial everyday crap like it’s the end of the fucking world, I’m sorry but get a grip…you don’t know what hardship is, honestly you don’t have the faintest idea..(In saying this I’m not trying to claim that I do, just that I appreciate that I have it pretty good, I don’t have to live in some famine struck part of Africa, fight for water and watch 3 out of my 5 children die before they can walk..)

Sometimes we spiral down, sometimes we float up, I hit a plateau so I tried to change things, I gave up everything familiar and comfortable, everything known and tested, everything safe and secure and I got kicked in the teeth for it. That fucking hurts, it hurts beyond anything I could previously comprehend. I got kicked in the teeth then stamped on..everything else was fine apart from what mattered most..but the clouds have been blown away and the sky is clearing again. I think I was blind, I think I was living a lie…I think I was in love with a memory. One lesson to be learnt, don’t be too soft, to malleable…don’t let memories and dreams cloud reality, don’t let emotion completely control everything..don’t give up your heart and soul for someone or something that doesn’t appreciate it.

Life is strange though, from what I’ve learnt in my few short years when you are on the floor bleeding and crying, with the reminants of your bloody kicked out teeth in your fingers you’ll probably find some kind beautiful diamond amongst the splintered shards of bone..These are the times it makes life seem worth living, during adversity there is always hope, please remember that, there is always hope..don’t ever completely give up. I have been on a long tiring journey, and I have reached my final destination…I have to admit, it’s no where near my expected destination, but nevertheless I am here…and it feels kinda good, I am free again, I am in the driving seat again, no one else is in control apart from me.

All in all I think life is good, life is what you make it, you get what you deserve..if you feel like you are getting a raw deal, take a good look in the mirror and see what YOU are doing about it. Thanks to those who chased the clouds away, thanks to those who helped me up when I was faltering…and thanks to you for putting me back on my feet. I am back, and I am good…life is a learning experience and we all have a past, it makes us who we are. I am glad who I am, even though ever since a young age it’s hurt like shit to get here..Maybe another day I’ll post something else like this, if anyone cares, if not I’ll probably post it anyway as it’s good to get it out. At the end of it all I hope to learn from my mistakes, but it’s easier to learn from others, so please learn from mine and at least try and digest what I’ve written.

I feel like I have to put the world to rights it’s getting pretty fucked up, look out for topics about religion, politics, malaysia, corruption, fat people and Americans..

This was truly philosophical pseudo-emotional wandering, Shaolin style. Disover thyself, it’s important. Big love to everyone.

Continue Reading · 8 Comments · Deep Thoughts

Pet Peeves..chomping..STFU Noisy eaters…

Ok during a discussion last night I stumbled upon one of the few, rare gems in life that I abso-fucking-lutely hate with avengance.

Basically it’s like this….

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON’T MAKE NOISE WHEN YOU EAT.

Food is beautiful, eating is wonderful, it should be cherished and loved not noisily chomped on like some piece of neanderthal wooly mammoth steak.

The exact noise I’m referring to is that kind of lip smacking noise some people make when they chew…like *mnah mnah mnah*

I really really can’t stand it, it actually makes me livid to witness noise during mastication..

I can just about stand slurping…only just, it wont make me shove a chopstick in your eye, but that lip smacking noise…I’ll actually move table to avoid hearing that noise, it physically repulses me and makes me want to cause grevious bodily harm on the source of emanation..

If you keep eating noisily you will end up looking like this for sure:

Or if you don’t you will after you remove my foot from your mouth

*HAIYAAAAAAA* (The noise I make whilst delivering a deadly Bruce Lee style flying kick)

There is no need to make this noise and well it usually results from those redneck, back alley eaters that eat with their mouths open too…so if you catch yourself doing it, please stop..

I’m so glad no-one in my circle of friends does it..not often anyway, Suan[/url] does it occasionally, but after the look of death…she soon stops..

Yeah and please don’t talk with food in your mouth, the last thing I want to have to see, especially during my dinner, is your half chewed food…kthx

I’ll probably post a complete list of the stuff I hate one day…there’s not much actually, this is the only thing on this beautiful planet that actually makes me want to commit painful, bloody, violent crimes..

I think I might just add some random stuff here…last night I had Vietnamese Paikut Wong, it was good, something like a load of pork chops cooked in capital sauce.

I had some minging stomach ache yesterday aswell, was doubled up rolling around like an intoxicated monkey..Other than that, nothing much going on..

Continue Reading · 5 Comments · Ranting

Shaolin is teh ENTP

According to Briggs Meyer..Jung version

https://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving

“Clever” is the word that perhaps describes ENTPs best. The professor who juggles half a dozen ideas for research papers and grant proposals in his mind while giving a highly entertaining lecture on an abstruse subject is a classic example of the type. So is the stand-up comedian whose lampoons are not only funny, but incisively accurate.

ENTPs are usually verbally as well as cerebrally quick, and generally love to argue–both for its own sake, and to show off their often-impressive skills. They tend to have a perverse sense of humor as well, and enjoy playing devil’s advocate. They sometimes confuse, even inadvertently hurt, those who don’t understand or accept the concept of argument as a sport.

ENTPs are as innovative and ingenious at problem-solving as they are at verbal gymnastics; on occasion, however, they manage to outsmart themselves. This can take the form of getting found out at “sharp practice”–ENTPs have been known to cut corners without regard to the rules if it’s expedient — or simply in the collapse of an over-ambitious juggling act. Both at work and at home, ENTPs are very fond of “toys”–physical or intellectual, the more sophisticated the better. They tend to tire of these quickly, however, and move on to new ones.

ENTPs are basically optimists, but in spite of this (perhaps because of it?), they tend to become extremely petulant about small setbacks and inconveniences. (Major setbacks they tend to regard as challenges, and tackle with determin- ation.) ENTPs have little patience with those they consider wrongheaded or unintelligent, and show little restraint in demonstrating this. However, they do tend to be extremely genial, if not charming, when not being harassed by life in general.

In terms of their relationships with others, ENTPs are capable of bonding very closely and, initially, suddenly, with their loved ones. Some appear to be deceptively offhand with their nearest and dearest; others are so demonstrative that they succeed in shocking co-workers who’ve only seen their professional side. ENTPs are also good at acquiring friends who are as clever and entertaining as they are. Aside from those two areas, ENTPs tend to be oblivious of the rest of humanity, except as an audience — good, bad, or potential.

Humm!

I am the visionary, inventor type apparently..

It’s so true in parts it’s unreal haha

Another version is HERE

ENTPs are fluent conversationalists, mentally quick, and enjoy verbal sparring with others. They love to debate issues, and may even switch sides sometimes just for the love of the debate. When they express their underlying principles, however, they may feel awkward and speak abruptly and intensely.

Oh so true..

We even have our own domain https://www.entp.org/

I bet the forum there is a fun place..if you love arguing anyway hahaha

Continue Reading · 4 Comments · General Nonsense

The water situation erm…and dace!

Ok so class was ok today as normal…

I got back and wondered why the hell the car had moved, some kind of dodgy ghost business going on?

Then I noticed piles of stuff everywhere…hmm I thought, hmm indeed.

Where the car was once parked, now rests a hole.

Looks like they decided to properly fix the water..

Wooohoooo can finally shower propely, by the looks of things it wasn’t a problem with the pump, probably a leak or blockage.

After that I cooked myself some food…I was so happy when I got my Dace

I think this stuff is like marmite[/url]..you either love it or hate it..It’s kinda weird because I’m not a huge fan of fish and canned fish usually makes me retch (sardines, eww) because it’s well *TOO* fishy. It’s generally eaten with plain ‘juk‘ (rice porridge/congee) in Teo Chew styleee (pickled veges and all that).

Tonight it was savoured with a steaming bowl of mee sup.

Yum!

Shaving was accomplished today without any serious flesh wounds..it’s a revelation..

In a weird kind of mood today…a bit melancholy, introspective, contemplative..and happy in a subdued kind of way.

Looks like Colombo is on…*sigh* I will be with you again soon my dear KL and my dears in KL

On the up side it looks like I might get to do some real work, h4x0r the planet ya’ll!

Yes I am verbose…you’ll get used to it I’m sure 🙂

Continue Reading · 8 Comments · Food/Eating, General Nonsense