Remembering The Reader

Posted on Monday January 12, 2009 in Books., Entertainment.

Traditionally, I am not a fan of book adaptations1. It was 1998, The Reader left a deep impression and I read it several times over simply because. In fact, my first book review was on this novel, back in the days of littledot.net. It sure took Hollywood long enough to make this into another movie.

I have not watched the film but I do like Kate Winslet (most of the times). I am pleased that the performance has been recognised. Very looking forward to the release in Singapore.

The book is somewhere in the stash. Next spring-clean stop!

  1. Girl, Interrupted was butchered [↩]
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Dressing up the X1

Posted on Sunday January 11, 2009 in Technology., Web.

Warning: Long geek post ahead.

Since the much needed purchase1 of the Xperia a month ago, customisation becomes an interesting pastime.

It is my virgin experience with a WinMo phone. I must have spent 70% of my internet bandwidth on XDA and have a serious love-hate relationship with the developers. On one hand, you want to try everything. On the other, you don’t really understand all the steps and are mildly paranoid about conflicts, if any.

Anyway. My X1 is almost fully dressed (or rather, I am getting tired). In alpha order.

1. AvantGo2
2. Batti
3. Facebook panel3
4. FDCSoft Task Manager
5. HandyShopper
6. HTC HD Dialer
7. HTC HD Keyboard
8. HTC HD TouchFlo3D
9. HTC HD TouchFlo3D panel
10. KeePass
11. MSS Converter
12. MyMobiler
13. SPB BackUp
14. SPB MobileShell
15. XperiaTweak

What’s missing. If you have any recommendations, shout.
1. Twitter. TwitToday looks promising.
2. WordPress. I have installed the WPhone plugin but would much prefer for a WinMo app.
3. Expense management. I have tried so many.
4. Flash plugin for web browsing. For some reason, youtube works but regular websites don’t.
5. Bodyguardz for X1. Not an app but hey, it is equally important.

Yeap, no GPS software at all. I am pretty satisfied with Google Maps.

/digress
The phone took it first dive today. It was a very sad moment.

  1. In case you are sniggering, I almost suffocated in Seoul without a 3G phone. Yes it is a need-buy! [↩]
  2. For some reason, screen scrolling does not work. [↩]
  3. Panels are exclusive to X1 at the moment. Not a regular WinMo app [↩]

Remember the misplaced

Posted on Sunday December 21, 2008 in Health

Many of my friends will gladly testify that I have problems with my memory, balance, and hearing. Apparently it bothers them a fair bit.

Tackling it one at a time, shall we?

I am sure that my memory lapses is not clinical as none of the following1 applies.

1. Does the memory loss disrupt daily living?
2. How often do memory lapses occur?
3. What kinds of things are being forgotten?
4. Are there signs of confusion?
5. Is the memory loss getting worse?

The website also listed the possible causes of memory loss. For some reason, I am disturbed by the fact that Normal aging is not first on the list.

And yes Miss Sze – I do have a hippocampus! You were there, for my fMRI!

  1. source: FDA [↩]
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Shopping season

Posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 in Shopping.

Christmas, for the majority or minority of us, is a public holiday, an opportunity to apply for long extended leave and most importantly, presents an excuse to binge and shop.

I enjoy shopping and wrapping the gifts. This year, one of the target stores is Ikea. Trust me it will be an over-sized experience without compromising on practicality. Everyone should get someone a piece of Ikea this holiday.

The Pally Giraffe Company has stuff that will make gal pals really happy. I hope no one is squealing.

Phew, made it through. Post via my early Christmas present, X1!

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O X1, where art thou?

Posted on Saturday November 15, 2008 in Technology.

It is really testing my patience! And it does not help that my head is hurting from yesterday clash-into-company-shuttle incident.

Xperia X1 was officially launched last weekend, have put myself on the waitlist, and still, no news. Everyday, I can only read about the mods and customisations on the forums. Driving myself crazy with a folder full of zip and cab that cannot be fulfilled to their full glory without the transmitter.

To the WOWers, congratulations on the launch of the Lich King. Back to the days of dreading Tuesdays!

< end of geek post >

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Clean up the bias

Posted on Saturday November 1, 2008 in Notes., Travel.

This week, I have preached to alot of people to keep an open mind. What an irony.

Like most people (even if they deny it), I do not fancy the mannerisms of the Chinese road users. I used to take more than 20mins to cross 2 streets. I hang on to the seat belt with both hands because it cannot be fastened. Cab drivers in China will actually make one miss our Comfort cabbies. 2 days ago, on my 7th visit, I was told off by a cab driver for boarding his cab. He had just turned in to drop off a hotel guest. Apparently if you are in the hotel taxi stand, you should only take cabs that are in the queue. To my defense, I was ushered into the error by the hotel staff. With a sigh, “It is not right. They have been waiting.” His eyes were still on the queue behind us. I felt an instant guilt and surprisingly proud of him. Shanghai has always been my favourite city in China, it is just getting better.

2 blocks later, he came so close to a car in the next lane that I could actually count the number of fries in the lady’s lap.

Sidetrack – The whole Beijing city smells of antiseptic solution. Taking ‘cleaning up’ a little too far?