Been staying in school till 1am since last week, rushing my CS3216 project. I am gotten so sick of Facebook programming especially having to wait for 10 seconds for the page to load each time I changed something. I think Facebook should have some sort of “offline” Facebook, where we can deploy it on our localhost and test it first before uploading it to a live server.

On Friday, I stayed till about 1am in school, after school went to Li Xiang’s house for supper as she specially prepared the supper for me. After supper, she surprise me with a penguin sewing. I always call her penguin because last time she walked like one. She dare not touch raw meat at all, but after realizing that Bacon is a raw meat, it was kinda too late for anything to be done. LOL

Campbell’s ABC Soup

Chawanmushi

Sausage Wrap With Bacon

Penguin’s Sewing

Thank you dear for the wonderful home cooked supper. I really appreciate it. Looking forward for more home cooked food from you =D

Dell really has great customer service. If you all want to get anything from Dell, do let me know, I will introduce the sales representative from Dell that I bought my monitor from.

My monitor came earlier than I expected in 2 ways:
1. According to Dell Support Order Status page, it was supposed to be delivered to me on the 21st April 2008. However, yesterday, I received a sms as well as an email asking me to confirm the delivery of my monitor on the next day (which is today) and I was so delighted to hear that.
2. My delivery time slot was suppose to be from 2pm to 6pm today, however, I got woken up by the door bell sound at 12.03pm and there is it, the delivery man with my monitor.

Dell 2408WFP Box

Box Has Been Opened

Cables That Come With It

The Monitor Stand Is Separated

Dell 2408WFP Wrapped

My Old Sony 17″ Monitor (SDM-HS73)

My Workspace

Thumbs up to Dell for their great service.

PS: I am seriously loving my 24″ monitor. As what Shaun said in the comments, once you are on 24″, you will never go back down, ever.

Below are the specifications that I planned for my new computer which I am going to get after my exams (mid May 2008):

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 + Asus RamPage Formula X48 - SGD$1,368.00
• 2x Crucial Ballistix PC2 6400 2GB (4GB) - SGD$229.00
• 2x WD 500GB 16MB - SGD$294.00
• Leadtek NX9800GX2 1GB HDMI - SGD$888.00
• Sony 20x DVD+-RW (DL / RAM) SATA - SGD$50.00
• CoolerMaster CM690 Casing w/Side Windows - SGD$139.00
• CMaster RealPower Pro 750W 12cm Fan - SGD$199.00
• 2x CoolerMaster LED Silent Fan 12cm - SGD$19.00
• Windows VISTA Home Premium 64bit - SGD$179.00
• Total: SGD$3,365.00

The pricing is dated on 5th April 2008 from Fuwell.

Prior to my ordering of Dell Monitors, my desktop computer crashed after 15 minutes into a demonstration of a 3D application. It always happen when I run 3D applications. But this time after it crashes and reboots, it can’t detect my Ethernet Card (Intel PRO/1000 CT Network Connection) which is embedded on my motherboard. I tried installing drivers but it still does not work. I got quite pissed off with it and hence I formatted my computer. Even after formatting, it still cannot detect my Ethernet Card. I got even more pissed and feel like throwing my computer out of the window or even smashing it with my hands.

I left my computer as it is and went to pick LiXiang up. We went to Jurong Point for dinner and on the way I bought a Linksys Wireless G Adapter (WUSB54G). This is the second time I am buying this adapter. The first time I bought it for my camp and then after I ORDed, I sold it to Laily for half price and now I am buying it again for SGD$59.00.

Went back home and when I was about to fix up my Wireless Adapter, I decided to give my Ethernet Card one last chance. So I installed the drivers again, and to my surprise it works. I have no idea whether to be happy or sad as I just spent $59.00 on the Wireless Adapter and now I do not need it.

But since I am going to move my desktop computer to the living room for my Dad, I guess the Wireless Adapter will come in handy as I do not have a long RJ45 cable.

Placed and confirmed my order for Dell 2408WFP UltraSharp 24 Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor and Dell E228WFP Entry 22 Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor.

The 2408WFP is for myself and it is retailing at SGD$958.72 and the E228WFP is for my brother and it is retailing at SGD$408.74.

I bought both monitors together and hence I got the discount for the 2408WFP which is about SGD$921.67 (after discount and including taxes). The E228WFP still remains at the same price. Overall I paid SGD$1,330.41 for both monitors.

Estimated delivery date is on 21st April 2008.

Caught Untraceable last week at GV VivoCity. Took 2 hours off to relax myself. Been so busy with my school nowdays.

I heard mix reviews about the movie, but personally I love Untraceable. I love all those technology stuff that they mentioned in the movie. Like TTL value, botnet, etc. I hope there is more of these type of movies.

Here is the plot:

Untraceable is a 2008 thriller film which stars Diane Lane, Joseph Cross, Billy Burke, and Colin Hanks. It was directed by Gregory Hoblit and is distributed by Screen Gems. The film is a social commentary on Internet schadenfreude.

Set in Portland, Oregon, the film involves a serial killer who rigs contraptions that kill his victims based on the number of hits received by a website (”www.killwithme.com”) that features a live streaming video of the victim. Millions of people log on, hastening the victims’ violent deaths. Lane plays the protagonist, a cybercop named Jennifer Marsh, who pieces the mystery together, at great risk to the personal well-being of herself and her family.

Source: Wikipedia

But I am wondering why not block the domain, www.killwithme.com, at ISP level? I have been wondering that all the while after the movie.

Just for fun, you can refer to the domain that is mentioned in the movie, Kill With Me.

Yesterday, 3rd April 2008, I was invited by Ian Tan from Microsoft to a private Xbox 360 Anniversary Party at The Screening Room (Theatre). That was my 2nd time I have been to The Screening Room.

Publishers such as EA, Atari, LucasArts, THQ, Namco Bandai, Rockstar, and Team Ninja were there to give us a sneak peak of their upcoming games. What we see are mostly confidential and hence no photos or videos can be taken.

The following games were presented to us in either actual in-game demo or trailers:

1. Ninja Gaiden II by Team Ninja (Official) (Gamespot)
2. Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit by Namco Bandai (Official) (Gamespot)
3. Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon by THQ (Official) (Gamespot)
4. Alone In The Dark by Atari (Official) (Gamespot)
5. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed by LucasArts (Official) (Gamespot)
6. Facebreaker by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
7. UEFA Euro 2008 by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
8. Dead Space by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
9. Mirrors Edge by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
10. Grand Theft Auto IV by Rockstar (Official) (Gamespot)

Release Dates

• Most of the games mentioned above are going to be released between late May 2008 and June 2008.
• According to the LucasArts spokesperson, he said that this is the first time they announced the released date of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and here they are:
  • 16th September 2008 in the United States.
  • 17th September 2008 in Asia Pacific
  • 19th September 2008 in Europe.
• GTA IV will be released on the 29th April 2008 and it will come to Singapore this time as MDA has a new rating system for games soon.

As this is a private party, they split us into 4 groups (Rockstar, Covenant, Ninja and Ghost) for us to compete in 3 games (Bomberman, Guitar Hero III and Project Gotham Racing 4). Sabrina, Eunice (did not really get her name), Nicholas/Aaron and I are in Rockstar.We came in first only in Bomberman but loses out in Guitar Hero III and Project Gotham Racing 4. But nevertheless, it was fun and stressful at the same time. TeamNinja won. I also saw U-Zyn there.

The lucky number 12 belongs to Farinelli was called for the lucky draw and he won an Xbox 360 (Halo 3 Special Edition). But my number was 3, sigh.

The goodies bag was good, 2 t-shirts, and 1 black wireless Xbox 360 controller.

Now I got both the controller and the Xbox 360 game which I won from a lucky draw during Premix 2007. What I lack now is an Xbox 360. Hopefully I can get a discounted version straight from Microsoft, keeping my fingers cross.

I enjoyed myself at the party even though I got a Maths test today! The food is good too. I just love the mini burger (it is really small) which cost like $12 for 2 if you order it from the alacarte. I ate at least 10 yesterday.

Can’t wait for the 3rd anniversary or the next event. I hope they will have something like this also but for PC games.

Kudos to the Xbox 360 team and event organiser for a successful event and thanks to Ian for the invite. Looking forward to the next one. =D

Here are some pictures from the event official photographer:

Nice Sofa Where We Played PGR4 And Bomberman

Food! The Mini Burger Rocks

Me And Another Guy (Didn’t Catch His Name) Chatting With Oli Pettigrew (Host) On The Right

Individual Birthday Cakes

Our Group Photo

I have uploaded all the photos that are released to us to Facebook Photo Album.

Didn’t realize that McDonalds has a new breakfast item on the menu called McGriddles. It is basically a mashup between Sausage McMuffin with/without Egg and Hotcakes. Just imagine McGriddles as Sausage McMuffin but replace the Muffin with Hotcake. The bread is a little too sweet for my liking. At first my mom thought it is a double meat patty instead.

Sausage McGriddles Without Egg Meal - SGD$5.70
Sausage McGriddles With Egg Meal - SGD$5.90

McDonalds McGriddles Breakfast

I think McDonalds should come out with a Double Sausage McMuffin filled with the goodness of double meat patty.

I turned 24 today! Happy birthday to myself. I am officially classified in the range of mid-twenties.

Thanks to all my friends for the birthday greetings, be it in Facebook, MSN or SMS. Thank you so much, it is the thought that counts =D

Thanks to Li Xiang, my brother and Huimin for the wonderful presents =D

Thanks to my parents for feeding me till now.

Thanks to NUS for the loads of assignments/tutorials/projects that I need to hand in next week.

Vantage Point - 20th March 2008
Caught Vantage Point on Thursday at GV VivoCity. Personally, I find the movie is nice but I know of others who do not like the movie at all due to the repetition. I love how they tried to bring the message across to the audience based on different perspective. I love how they leave a cliff hanger at the end of each perspective and visiting it back later at the next perspective. I think back in 2005, Hoodwinked also uses this method.

24th Birthday Celebration - 21st March 2008
Celebrated my 24th birthday with Li Xiang at Mandarin Oriental’s Melt, The World Cafe, on Good Friday. The buffet dinner is SGD$70.00 per head on weekends and public holidays. Ordered an additional 2 glasses of pineapple juice and after paying the bill, I realise it is SGD$12.00 per glass. The total bill amounted up to SGD$164 and the tax and service charge alone is SGD$29.03. Ended up paying SGD$193.05.

The next buffet we are going to try shall be The Line at Shangri La.

Birthday Presents
Li Xiang bought for me quite a number of presents this time round. It is meant for my birthday plus valentine’s day present. I got a Penguin Soft Toy, a little illustrations book entitled “The Secret Of Love“, a Superman T-shirt (she also bought the same one for herself) and a Arnold Palmer Polo T-shirt.

I also gave her an evening purse which is meant for Valentine’s Day. I bought it before Valentine’s Day but she do not want to accept it because her Valentine’s Day present for me is not ready.

Thank you dear for your wonderful presents. Promise me not to spend so much next time ok?
Thank you to my brother and Huimin for the Lacoste Polo T-shirt.

Here are some photos taken using my Nokia N82. I have not used any digital camera to take pictures ever since I got hold of the N82.

Melt, The World Cafe

Food

More Food

BBQ Food

Lor Mee

SGD$12.00 Pineapple Juice

She Finished All The Desserts Alone

Taken At Marina Square

My Presents

Evening Bag For Li Xiang

Birthday Card From My Brother And His Girlfriend (Huimin)

Chocolate Birthday Cake From Awfully Chocolate

Lacoste Dark Blue Polo T-shirt My Brother And Huimin