Mitsubishi Lancer EX GT SE or non SE?

Here is the faceoff:

Special Edition


Normal 2009


Well we eventually settled on the SE version coz basically cause it was nearly 8k cheaper. Gun Metal Gray though...not really ideal but its ok i guess. 24 day count

PC Woes

Spore is coming!!! Yes should be later today!! Bad point is...I got no PC to play it on!! My notebook...my all powerful Asus G2 notebook costing me $4k comes installed with Vista and recently, its been giving me A LOT of problems. I can't even surf with Firefox 3!! Always blue screen of death etc...its REALLY annoying...

Hai...think i'm going to install windows XP on it but it seems like its going to be a lot a lot of work. So perhaps, i'll just upgrade the PC in my room...should cost about $800 for a powerful one...PLUS maybe another $450 for a 22inch samsung...yes, that is next on my buy list.

Oh, have you tried google chrome yet? its really fast..you should try it! Strangely, it was my increasingly tech saavy dad that recommended it to me!

New Hobby: Audio

The Car Thing

It all started with my car audio going a bit nuts...so I went on the net and researched some good car audio ppl. Here is my shortlisted 3:

AUDIOEDGE
48 Toh Guan Road East #01-112 Enterprise Hub
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Tel: +65 67639442
Fax: +65 64657889

CHUAN SING
202 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3
#01-1670 Singapore 560202
Tel/Hp : 64521371,64527316,64591181

23 Serangoon Gdn Way
Singapore 555935
Tel/Hp : 62802822,62836656

29 Sin Ming Drive
#01-229/231 Singapore 575703
Tel/Hp : 64570279

NEW GEN
53 Ubi Ave 1
#01-44 Singapore 408934
Tel/Hp : 63486220
Fax : 68422267
Telephone: 62802822

The Headphone Thing

I didn't visit all of them, I just went to Chuan Sing first and after examining my car etc, the guy, to my surprise, actually told me not to do anything! He said that it was really no point for me to upgrade. I was pretty impressed with the service and would definitely go back again to these guys.

On another note, I was afraid my constant playing of my PS3 at high volumes may disturb others etc. So I decided on getting a pair of headphones. HEADphones not EARphones. So as usual, I went online to research local shops selling headphones...one really stood out and thats a shop called Jaben at the Adelphi. People were just saying, "go there and he'll take care of you." So i went.

The experience was really cool. The shop, though in a really ulu place, was packed with people. The guy (William I think-the boss) was really nice and let me try all the super expensive headphones (close to $1k types). He was really jovial and passionate about music etc. The people there were also really friendly, offering me all kinds of advice, teaching me a bit about ohms, drivers, mhz, closed, open etc. Wow, really learned a lot that day...even learned that i'm seriously not ready for this level of hardcore audio.

So in the end I went back and searched around to find more 'consumer ranged' varieties. My searching came back with these few, sub $100 types:

• Sharkoon X-TATIC 5.1 headphones
• Tritton AX360
• Sony MDR-7505
• Sony MDRV 150

So after some thinking, I went to a sony style shop (I LOVE their bags!) and bought the Sony MDR-XD200. Yes i know its not in the list but it was cheaper and looked just as good. Did some post purchase reviews (always a scary thing) after buying it and WHEW, it IS a good pair <-- like what the sony guy said too la. So in the end its all good. Tried using it on my PS3 and wow, really can hear the sounds that previously were not present! Really enjoyed the sound experience but realized that my ears get too hot after about an hour of use...so maybe I gotta get cooler ear pads or just headphones aren't my thing... The HD Surround Experience

Actually my goal is to be able to completely hook up my PS3 to really high quality HD sound surround etc. Happened that i already have an amp at home so I just need to get the optical cable and hook it up. Found the optical cable selling at Courts but WOW, they cost like $50 for the Monster brand one...ya good quality i know..but im just no ready for this.

New Hobby: Rubiks Cube

Finally managed to learn how to do this silly cube thing...it seems to be the fad now with the younger kids. My little cousins can all do it and thats wat inspired me to as well. So I went to get one (really cheap) and studied some tutorials on the net. So after about 3 hours (yes im a bit slow), I managed to get it :)

Its pretty much memorizing some algorithms and using your own common sense. I'm trying to make all algorithms common sense but think i'm going to take a bit of a break from that first.

New Toys: Mantis Mask, iRobot Roomba

Mantis Mask

Full face mask for diving. Really cool, tried it on my latest trip (thanks Eric!). Allows you to breathe through your nose underwater. Saves quite a lot of air, better for equalization and sinuses too. Only big downside is the flexibility loss on the surface. Not to mention all kinds of people being attracted to it.

Roomba 530

Finally bought this baby...have been deliberating for months due to its excessively high price. Tried buying it from overseas but there was lack of support. Warranty and ease of mind were the 2 biggest tipping factors as well too. Hopefully this baby will take out a lot of our housework...not to mention, ain't it cool to have a robot!

Featured Song: We Are All Innocent by OLP

Our Lady Peace - We Are All Innocent

My favourite parts are:

"And while he wishes he could escape this
But it all seems so contagious
Not to be yourself and faceless
And a song that has no soul

I remember feeling low
I remember losing hope
And I remember all the feelings and the day they stopped"

More comments later, I'm outta time!

Much Ado About Taste

Recently I have been wondering a lot on whether there is a logical basis for why people like/dislike certain things. Like, is there are certain flavour that ALL humans like? A certain colour? Melody? etc. Can it be that we are hardwired somehow internally to like/dislike certain things? I mean, in nature, RED is used as a warning sign etc. and certain smells are automatically terrible for all species.

Is 'Best' just a vote and the majority wins? Thanks to everyone who have shared their experiences with me.

In the end, I'll go with this one:

My good professor friend (who specializes in culture) has shared her thoughts with me. She believes its a vote and the majority wins HOWEVER, there are very established patterns that are hard to dispute and are formed along cultural lines; cultural determinism.

So there...

My New Toy: PS3

Yes I have finally bought it! It is really awesome and fantastic and I'm just wondering why I waited so long to get it.

One point to note is that you HAVE to get a HDMI cable (assuming you have a HD TV la) coz the system didn't come with it. Those things range from $20 - $500 (no kidding!) so choose wisely. I can't really enjoy the FULL FULL HD experience coz I'm only on like HD Ready and not TRUE HD but its already like 100 times better. I guess I won't be able to really tell the difference so nevermind la!

Still waiting for my blu-ray discs to come from Amazon so till then, can only see the HD power through the games.

The 2 games you MUST get are:

- Metal Gear Solid 4: The most fantastic game I've played in a long long time. The graphics are jaw dropping (of course you need HD)

- Grand Theft Auto 4: Pretty much the same thing as the previous 3 but just better done. Still a must have.

- Wish List: Ratchet and Clank, Final Fantasy 13 <-- WOO!

Food Stuff:

Bunny Suicides



This is cute, even sadistic a little...

How to Choose a Durian



Brought to you by this cool food blog, ieatishootipost.sg

Movie Update

Wanted

Really recommend this movie! It was simply awesome and I really loved it! Action packed with super exaggerated scenes. I think its very well directed with super cool subtle special effects. Good acting - Angelina was really cool in this one IMO (heard she used this show to help her handle the death of her mom) and James McAvoy is cool too! The story line is really good as well, not like those predictable shows, everything fits well too. WATCH WATCH!!

Hancock

Well I like Will Smith but this show just didn't do it for me. Started out good but after the middle of the show, it suddenly turned 180 degrees. Didn't know what was happening after that. Interesting twist of story with good acting from great actors. Nice action scenes and special effects but overall I think it was just below my expectations.

The Incredible Hulk

Well, so so la. Preferred it much more than the 1st one but really quite Duh to me. The ending scene is quite cool - hints at a lot more to come.

Featured Software: Terracopy

Cool copy and paste enhancing software. Especially useful if you move around big files a lot. Speeds up the copying by optimizing your resource buffer - like when u copy off a network, it detects that and then frees up your ram from the process! Allows you to pause and monitor copying as well.

You really can multi-task better as it doesn't slow your system. Was recommended by HWM as one of the best freewares ever.

Try it.

Hobby Update

4 Colours *NEW HOBBY*
Just learnt how to play the traditional chinese game 'Si Sek' or 4 Colours. Ever since I have been watching them play daily around my house I have wanted to learn it. Finally thanks to my aunt from Canada, I managed to learn it. It's quite an interesting game played with chinese chess character pieces of 4 different colours. So it kinda ties in with my current chinese chess hobby thing. Pretty complex strategies but definitely worth learning because of the depth of play. I actually bought the tile set (S$70) or if you want you can buy the traditional card set (S$2) - was surprised that there are shops still supporting this old game. If anyone wants to learn, just let me know and I'll be glad to teach.

Diving Update
Will be going to Tioman for a special UW photography dive trip. Really small group with all experts - I'll be going there primarily to learn. Seems like the resort owner himself is joining us so it should be fun. Will only be bringing my original S1IS camera as I don't want to invest in the housing for the G9 at this point of time. As for the rest of the diving equipment, my friend is giving me a pointer YAY!

Chinese Chess Update
Have been persisting in playing it even though I have been losing like crazy. Currently my win/loss ratio is W59L130. Was actually feeling quite demoralized till I played some games in the office and completely trashed everyone there, heh.

Humour: Online Love

Heh, this is really funny - about a girl who found love online.

Featured Site: Fitness Tracker

In effort to lose weight and maintain a healthly lifestyle, I found a site that helps to monitor all your food intake and exercise intake. It is intuitive and really friendly to use. Best of all, its free!

Try it out

Featured PSP Game: Final Fantasy Crisis Core

Just completed this game (after about 2o hours) , it really is one of the best games I have ever played. In terms of story, gameplay, audio/visual, replayabilty, depth, challenge - I give all top marks!

For those who know FF7, this is basically the prequel to FF7. It focuses mainly on Zack Fair who was the guy who kinda brought the infamous Cloud into the whole picture to begin with. It also shows a lot of Sephiroth and his past etc. Really makes me feel like playing back the old FF7 games or watching advent children again. Heard that Square Enix is making another FF7 game in updated graphics!!

It seriously is a MUST PLAY for the PSP.

Featured Site: Local Contest Tracking Blog

This place tracks and rates local contests. Really should pay attention to it as there are A LOT of companies out there giving out good prizes for almost relatively no effort on our part except awareness and your email.

Go check it out at: http://contestjunkie.blogspot.com/

Firefox 3!

For those of you who don't even know, Firefox is a browser alternative to Internet Explorer. Although I'm quite a fan of Microsoft, I LOVE using firefox and have been using it ever since it came out.

Now the 3rd version is out and it is really good!! You can actually FEEL the speed increase. Aiya, simply put, DOWNLOAD IT and USE IT if you are not already.

EDIT: WAIT WAIT!! DO NOT GET THIS YET!!! It seems to break a lot of the websites that I surf. Wait for at least 1 more revision before getting. I'm still testing it out on one PC and sticking to Firefox 2 on another. Will keep you guys updated.

Hobby Update

Photography
Just bought a Canon G9 pns for casual shooting and potential UW shoots. Bought it 2nd hand from Clubsnap at a really good deal! The camera is really very good. It will serve as my backup camera on normal shoots or my lazy camera which I'll try to bring around more.

Was featured on Deviant Art for one of my old pictures! Was really awesome as I got like 3.4k of views on the day.

Chinese Chess
Started playing this online and omg I really suck big time...did see SOME improvement after 1 week of practicing...while continue to train at it!

Aquatic Hobby
Wonder why my CRS keep dying inside my special tank. Have this feeling its due to underfeeding as the moss is not growing well and it happens esp. when i don't put excessive food. Don't really like the oyama setup i did for my lobster side.

Games
Been playing PSP FF7 Crisis Core quite a bit. Seems weird that now my PSP has taken first place over my DS and even PC. Had just finished Mass Effect on the PC and well, its OK la...but prefer Kotor. Waiting for FF8 to come out on PS3 and thats when i'll probably get it.

Diving
Eric and the gang are going to Anilao next month but due to time contraints I really don't think I can join them. Am thinking of joining them on their Tioman trip later at the end of the month though. Current plan is for me to slowly build up experience diving and in spotting/photography assistant before getting my own setup. Was going to buy a regulator set but was advised against the idea so I'll just rent one if I need la.

Movie Updates

Don't Mess with the Zohan
Kinda liked it, especially the first part...but at the end it was quite boring.

Kung Fu Panda
Liked it! At first I really din see much to it but then after watching it, it just got better and better :) Love the turtle guy...esp his quote, "Yesterday's history, Tomorrow's a mystery, Today is a gift...and thats why we call it the Present."

Indiana Jones
Well, ok la...action film...din like it very much. Not true to the Indiana series IMO

Going Bananas

Someone forwarded this to me on email and I thought it'd be pretty cool to share it:

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-mins workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit.

It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels,
which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal
bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the
inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, 'eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit!!