Business as usual...

Yes, this blog of mine is still alive. The novelty of blogging has worn out a bit on me, at least by quite a bit. I haven't been updating with the utmost diligence unlike the past year, for the past couple of months. Hit rates had been declining steadily, has saturated to a low, but did not gone all down to nil; it's good to know that my rants are still being read, although by very few. In fact i'm spending less time on FB as well. I already spend long hours in front of the monitor at work, so I figured I better spend less time on my PC at home, read some books, exercise, get my hands busy on some gunpla project, or some chores instead... & I felt like I actually had more time, like that. In between the hiatus since the last post, I've completed a couple of Gunpla projects i.e MG Figure-Rise Super Saiyan Son Goku & the MG RX-78-3 One Year War version, which I'll update when I have time (more like when I feel like it)... & speaking of which, my camera gears have been collecting dust since my last graphic post many moons ago... I find it a lot more convenient just to flick my I-phone & shoot. That's another cool piece of gadget I have in my possession for a good few months, which I never got to update about. Since, my project Civic has hit a mysterious glitch rendering it a VTEC-less lame duck for a terrible 2 months before I managed to find some credible tuner here in Miri who can fix her. She's been re-tuned since (I seriously have no idea what went nuts with the previous tuning ~ it was running perfect one day, gone crazy the next)... now I have good reasons to suspect that suffocating piece of exhaust silencer. Getting the exhaust work sorted out at the moment ~ can't live without the unadulterated VTEC. On the other hand, the law won't let me have my way with that obscenely loud un-muffled Skunk2 Megapower exhaust for long. Got to strike balance & keep within the acceptable decibels. Work load at this time of the year is going full steam too, & I'll be moving into a bigger place of my own sometime soon, will be eager to update about it, only if I get to doing it, hehe. Especially difficult when I have another distraction in hand, in the form of a PG 00 Raiser... Funding from the sale of my extra car parts here http://www.miricommunity.net/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=30086 definitely helps. Every thing's got to go! =)

Playing Tag 666

~ tagged by Fiona ~ How to? ~ Go to your sixth picture folder and post the sixth picture in the folder, then tag 6 people!

From Miscellaneous

Tadaa ~ for my case, this picha from ages ago showed up! Taken during my final semester in uni at my friend's rented place; a groupie of my coursemate buddies, some of whom i haven't seen for years now. Yups, we were once young like that... felt like just a blink of an eye ago. Oh, how time flies... =)


Now i'm going to tag another 6:

~M~

ahlost

santalouis

kino

marv

funkye


666 ~ devilish number?

Random Thoughts: Income Tax E-Filling ~ the saga returns... -_-

Baki Cukai Kena Dibayar: 4XX.03 HEEHAII!!! *put a 'C', then a 'B' before each of the 'H's respectively* & i wonder where did all my money go... coz my annual pocketed income feels like its shrinking from year to year... -_-

de ja vu?

From Miscellaneous

reminiscent of this fave shot i've taken during my last visit here, almost a year has passed since; now with a proper dSLR, back then it was a samsumg digicam which got stolen when my parents brought it along for a trip to penang not long after that...

*singapore trip post coming up soon...~ when i'm rajin enough to update, that is =p *

From Miscellaneous

a buddy of mine got into a mishap earlier this evening; i crashed in an eeriely similar manner just not too long ago in that area too, just a roundabout away... Glad that he got away unscathed, though a bit shaken. Ouch! that baby is going to take a while to get fixed; speaking of which, mine is yet to emerge from the workshop. Malang tidak berbau... do drive safely dear friends!

The Interview

* with jobs getting scarcer by the day, some may have to resort to extreme measures like these... =p
* fwd mail courtesy of anna garcia. Chill out & have a good laugh! =D

Initial D & its Origin...

A throwback to the 90s anime series... really feeling the eurobeat song ~ ! =D

Mugen RR Driving School

I'd love to to attend this driving school! Check out those Mugen RRs. They're absolutely awesome! With a limited production of only 300 units, we wouldn't be seeing much of these examples running on our roads here.
*sorry, no translation available*

25 random things about me

Tagged by my baby in Facebook, ages ago... =p

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.
To do this, go to “Notes” under tabs (+) on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

****
1. Likes to daydream
2. I'm a lefty
3. Sometimes i can't even read my own handwriting! Really hates having to write ~ especially when it comes to filling application forms
4. A non-coffee drinker who likes to hang out at coffee joints i.e. Starbucks
5. Has problems sleeping soundly ~ i seriously need to undergo sleep therapy
6. Passionate about fast cars & travelling
7. My engine with all the mods put into it, is probably worth more than my car itself
8. Always have problems putting my thoughts together, hence ~ pieces of me
9. Was once a passionate basketball player coz i though all the jumping action would make me grow taller; has hung up my kicks for good since, but is still a big fan of NBA
10. Thinks that anything on wheels or heels can be modified
11. Has a pair of under utilized latin dancing shoes; haven't been practicing coz lack of an enthusiastic dancing partner *em's still in kl for the time being*
12. Gets runny nose easily
13. 13/12/2008 is a special date ~ prayers to be answered in 3 days time =)
14. Procrastinates at every chance i get
15. Is blissfully happy in a relationship with someone i barely even knew existed just over 2 months ago
16. Done scuba diving, wake-boarding, white-water rafting, kayaking & snorkelling, but still can't swim or float properly
17. Always enjoy a bout of spirited driving every now & then
18. Have a habit of reading books when i'm having meals at home
19. Likes spicy food
20. Did not start speaking mandarin until i entered university
21. Had 2 major accidents in my 10 years of driving, once on CNY-eve & the recently on Chap Goh Mei eve. I should be banned from driving during the CNY festive season
22. Am one of the many amateur bloggers who jumped on to the DSLR wagon recently; i still have yet to make the most of this pricey investment
23. Am also one of those people who's wondering when my career is going to take off?
24. Always have a problem listing out ## things about me... i'm stuck at 24.... =p

*somebody's been filling a complaint against me for not updating in a timely manner... so i better not procrastinate anymore... xp

What is big honey bear doing on my couch?

~ catching the 2009 NBA All-Star game ~! =p



featured the reunion of one of the all time greates dynamic duo ~ as co-MVPs!

Krypto-nate owning Superman in the slam dunk contest!
5'7" dunking over a 6'11"... how crazy can it get??

I've got mail~! =)

Happy Valentine's Day, people! =)
*cupid missed me for 6 consecutive years in a row, but not this year, anymore =p *

Valentine Parody: Maple @ Midnight =p

This is sooo hilarious...~! Enjoy! =p

Jikan Yo Tomare (Stop the Time)

AZU feat Seamo Jikan Yo Tomare
by utadalove

Lyrics

小宇

Current Status: UDT (Unscheduled-Down-Time)
Remarks: down with food poisoning

-_-"

For me, it has been a rather peaceful & relaxing weekend at home spent mostly on the couch catching highlights of the Beijing Olympics... & quite a productive one as well ~ Project MG Unicorn now is at 70% *completion literally he's already on his feet in Unicorn mode, minus the decals & weapons ~ more updates to come... * Like with most leisure time spent off work, time really seems to fly-by faster; back to work tomorrow -_-
My neck & shoulders are still aching like crazy from that new rigorous clean-&-jerk weight workout routine incorporated into my gym session yesterday morning... ~ feeling a bit light-headed & dizzy too; need to pop some pills before going to bed... or maybe going for a round of invigorating nocturnal drive would help... haven't had sessions like these for quite a l - o - n - g while...

=p ~ the thrill, adrenaline rush & the sound of music *VTEC at full song* is just so addictive

Come to think of it ~ it has been 2 years, 6 months & 8 days since the inaugural post... over 2 years of blogging-ranting-crapping fun to remember by bits & pieces of the ups & downs of my sometimes colorful & sometimes not-so-colorful life, & also tributes to the dear peoples who have left profound positive indents in my life. =)
& I've yet to fill up my profile with a single word! photo header? theme? ~ BLANK! www.domain-13.blogspot.com? couldn't have sounded more uninspiring... i guess that's why it's appropriately called pieces of me.... too many scattered bits of pieces of me here & there... Okay... nevermind that.
A good buddy of mine is also in the midst of pondering over something along the same line for his blog... he's already got it on his workstation screensaver ~

cunn or not? =p
Just use it, brada! Yours will surely be a HIT!! haha! =D

*on fei-fei's "Your C@mera DO NOT M@tter" ~ very true indeed, i couldn't help but agree... though at this point, i'm already terminally affected with the SLR fever, to resist getting the toy for myself... thanks to persistently pesterings helpful inputs from your hubby, snoopy, louis, my nephiu, jen & loi-kiss.... =o

Small talk: Just received a call from my parents vacationing somewhere in Penang... apparently our only point & shoot digicam got lost somewhere along the way... so sad, all the photos taken during earlier part of the trip were all gone... =( also means that i'll need to get a replacement soon... dSLR? becoming seemingly inevitable liao... but now bo $$ ar...

The week has been great for me, in an upbeat manner & fulfilling way. I had a great time catching up with a good friend of mine, ehon who's back in town for the holidays. I've only known him since his last holiday break which, was only months ago, through a buddy of mine who happens to be his ah-kong... =p
A great lad with impressive personality & unique outlook on life. With all the postive aura that he exudes, he's always a great guy to hang out with... having genuine & positive friends will make a difference especially when you're caught up in the midst of mid-life crisis (i.e frustrations at work, stagnant career, stagnant relationships) like me.. that includes you too mr sexylips...
I'm starting to sound like a senior citizen already... yeap, ehon call's me uncle =D
Man, i should start to hang out more with friends not older than 22 years old, to retard my mental aging process.
All the sick jokes laughters & thoughts shared, has been an enlightening experience.
Sometime in the middle of the week, had also managed to squeeze in a happy hour time slot with jenbebe & co. at one of the latest happening night spot in town, The Core. At 7pm on a wednesday night?? Not much going on, but those poor tax friends on mine just need to unwind after a stressful day's work. Hang on in there guys, peak season's going to be over soon! Of all the people, i've also bumped into a girl who was accidentally involved in my infamous puking fiesta at barzing from years ago... *paiseh*paiseh* Had a good exchange of chit-chats, & i hope that she will no longer address me as the guy who once puked on her.... =p

Photoshop Crash Course

With growing photography craze among my colleagues, i feel it's time for us to start experimenting with photo editing just for the heck of it coz we have deep sense of appreciation for nice photos. After all we're called Photolithography engineers mah... =D *DSLR still on my wishlist though.. *

Ehon was kind enough to impart some of his photography wisdom acquired from his apprenticeship days with the one of the major studios in town, to us... =D
Lesson#1: How to apply virtual SKII ~ specimen A
Before:

After:

Look ma, no pimples! =p

Lesson#2: How to apply virtual anti-ageing ~ Specimen B
Before:

After:

signature eye-bag eliminated, sexy lips pun kena eliminated!! but now you look 25!
*photos published without consent of specimens, no pun intended, pls dun flame me, bradas! =p*

So enough with goofying around, it is breath-taking photo effects like these that we're learning how to create

=)

*Btw, it's still ms. Colina's b'day, so Happy Birthday! again, when are u going to start ur blog ar?

Cleaning out the closet ~ i'm very particular about the settings of the surroundings i'm in. My room, interior of my car, my work cube & even my PC windows layout; i would always meticulously keep them neat, tidy & clutter-free at all times. Despite having every single piece of furniture, fixtures & stuffs in my room already well dusted, organized & aligned accurately right down to the last micrometer, i still find myself repeating the ritual over & over again when there's really no apparent need; as if engaging in this compulsions would somehow clean up the closet of my mind & rid it of all anxiety...

Ha, is this manifestation of OCD? ~ *Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder... hmm, maybe, to a certain degree but in a mild manner. During one of the recent bouts of these symptoms, i took time to appreciate my small lineup of Gunpla & figurines with my newfound & improved photography skills =p

those box-arts are too attractive to throw away...

my 1st ever kit ~ HG Neon Genesis Evangelion EVA-oo Prototype

my most elaborate & expensive kit to date ~ MG Strike Freedom Gundam, Full Burst Mode

MG Strike I.W.S.P ~ universally appealing design + impressive articulation

my 1st villain kit ~ HG Legend Gundam; i just dig kits with huge backpacks

Otaku House loot from my recent Singapore trip

L-R: Ichigo Kurosaki & Matsumoto Rangiku from Bleach; Wang Liu-Mei from Mobile Suit Gundam 00; Misato Katsuragi from Neon Genesis Evangelion

my fascination for miniature stuffs is just taking off...

Go home at 5:30pm sharp! ~ a forwarded mail; i couldn't help but agree with this. My fellow rat-racers, please read on...

Mail sent by Narayan Murthy to all Infosys staff: It ' s half past 8 in the office but the lights are still on... PCs still running, coffee machines still buzzing... And who ' s at work? Most of them ??? Take a closer look... All or most specimens are ?? Something male species of the human race... Look closer... again all or most of them are bachelors... And why are they sitting late? Working hard? No way!!! Any guesses??? Let ' s ask one of them... Here ' s what he says.... "What ' s there 2 do after going home...Here we get to surf, AC, phone, food, coffee that is why I am working late...Importantly no bossssssss!!!!!!!!!!!" This is the scene in most research centers and software companies and other off-shore offices. Bachelors "Time-passing" during late hours in the office just bcoz they say they ' ve nothing else to do... Now what r the consequences... "Working" (for the record only) late hours soon becomes part of the institute or company culture. With bosses more than eager to provide support to those "working" late in the form of taxi vouchers, food vouchers and of course good feedback, (oh, he ' s a hard worker... goes home only to change..!!). They aren ' t helping things too... To hell with bosses who don ' t understand the difference between "sitting" late and "working" late!!! Very soon, the boss start expecting all employees to put in extra working hours. So, My dear Bachelors let me tell you, life changes when u get married and start having a family... office is no longer a priority, family is... and That ' s when the problem starts... b ' coz u start having commitments at home too. For your boss, the earlier "hardworking" guy suddenly seems to become a "early leaver" even if u leave an hour after regular time... after doing the same amount of work. People leaving on time after doing their tasks for the day are labelled as work-shirkers... Girls who thankfully always (its changing nowadays... though) leave on time are labelled as "not up to it".. All the while, the bachelors pat their own backs and carry on "working" not realizing that they r spoiling the work culture at their own place and never realize that they would have to regret at one point of time.. So what ' s the moral of the story?? * Very clear, LEAVE ON TIME!!! * Never put in extra time " unless really needed " * Don ' t stay back unnecessarily and spoil your company work culture which will in turn cause inconvenience to you and your colleagues. There are hundred other things to do in the evening.. Learn music... Learn a foreign language... Try a sport... TT, cricket......... Importantly,get a girl friend or boy friend, take him/her around town... * And for heaven ' s sake, net cafe rates have dropped to an all-time low (plus, no fire-walls) and try cooking for a change. Take a tip from the Smirnoff ad: *"Life ' s calling, where are you??"* Please pass on this message to all those colleagues and please do it before leaving time, don ' t stay back till midnight to forward this!!! IT ' S A TYPICAL INDIAN MENTALITY THAT WORKING FOR LONG HOURS MEANS VERY HARD WORKING & 100% COMMITMENT ETC. PEOPLE WHO REGULARLY SIT LATE IN THE OFFICE DON ' T KNOW TO MANAGE THEIR TIME. SIMPLE ! Regards, NARAYAN MURTHY.

and i wonder why i still can't get a gf...