gdgt.com

Friday, July 03, 2009
Been checking out gdgt.com today - it's a social networking site (of sorts), but with gadgets. You can either spell it out or call it "gadget", but I'm fine with spelling it out as "g-d-g-t".

There's also a gdgt podcast with the founders Ryan Block and Peter Rojas which I tried out some time back, but it's really hard to listen and relate to if you're not a gadget nerd.

You can select the gadgets you own, want or had from the database. But as it's only just launched (couple of days, tops), don't expect to find every single thing on there just yet - I could find a couple of things I own on there just yet - I don't know what good it'll bring me, but what the heck.

Check out the video below for an explanation (from Veronica Belmont, no less) about how the site works.

So, what is gdgt? from gdgt on Vimeo.

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posted by synical at 9:43 PM, | |

KL to Singapore : Bus or plane?

Monday, June 29, 2009
There was a time where if you don't drive, it's down to Pudu bus station to catch an express down to Singapore because spending hundreds to fly the short distance was not worth it. Thanks to the number of budget airlines that finally started their KL-Singapore routes (took them long enough!) and the number of luxury express buses that don't all leave from Pudu, there are more options for consumer to choose from as the fares these days are (quite frankly) about the same. I have this back and forth in my head everytime there's a concert down there that I'm thinking of going, and it's getting tiresome. I'm only gonna use KL as a point of reference here just because I am from around here, after all.

Bus:

Pros
  • You don't have to check in 2 hours prior to leaving; you just have to show up at least half an hour before departure.
  • You can buy them Krispy Kreme donuts for people down south (if you don't mind carrying them around a bit).
  • Depending on the bus company you end up with, you might have a shorter ride home.
  • Only reason why I wouldn't mind taking the first bus out is the napping potential.
Cons
  • The TEN HOUR bus ride to and fro; talk about butt cramp.
  • Higher death rate from road accidents than from plane crashes.

Plane:

Pros
  • Competitive rates; cost about the same as bus fares if not cheaper.
  • Actual flight: under an hour.
  • Duty free shit if you actually qualify.
  • I'd check in an hour or two on top of the 2 hours just to hang out at Changi Airport: the internet kiosks, the shops... don't get me started.
Cons
  • Unless you got friends or family who are willing to drive you to the airport, you have to spend money getting there.
  • Piggy flu. 'Nuff said.
  • The 2 hour check-in prior to boarding, which sucks if you're on the first flight out as you're there before the sun does.
  • The flight is so short, it's not enough time to nap.
  • Add another hour for getting to the airport. Less if you're talking Firefly at Ye Old Terminal 3 in Subang. Then think about the way back. Total travel time: 3 - 4 hours, give or take.
  • Airport security.
To conclude this debate: I'd choose to fly definitely, but I wouldn't really fly right now because of the piggy flu (I've not asked how travelling by bus is in the current condition), but if I want to get some window shopping in, then I'm stuck to Orchard or doing it real fast.

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posted by synical at 11:03 AM, | |

Week 27, 2009

Sunday, June 28, 2009
  • There's an Old Town White Coffee in Taman Megah. Didn't notice until my bro brought it up. Don't have to go that far now :P But not open yet, AFAIK.
  • Finally been to Papa John's Pizza in Berjaya Times Square, and had some more Krispy Kreme next door. Like Malaysians not fat enough, want us to be as fat as Americans. Damn.

  • Speaking of fat people, local Hallmark Channel is looking for contestants on... you guessed it, The Biggest Loser Asia. Winner gets USD100,000 (from the FAQ here). One of the T&C was that filming starts in Oct and will go on for about 3 months. I just want to know who is hosting and who the trainers are because obviously you can't have Alison, Bob and Jillian for a regional thing.

  • 3 celebs died this week: Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

  • The days off wasn't a total snore: managed to check out the workday-only sales in office buildings in both PJ and KL and hit a few malls in the process as Zara and MNG started their sale on Thursday. Waste of time and money, probably, but at least I wasn't on my ass all day at work.

  • L'Oreal Cosmetics one day sale in Uptown - made it there with mere minutes to spare. Bought Kiehl's SPF 30 sunscreen to try for RM40 and the Deluxe Hand & Body Lotion with Aloe Vera & Oatmeal for RM20.

  • Lost my sunglasses somewhere in either Midvalley or The Gardens. Annoyed that I lost them, but at least they only cost about RM20-30 range at the time. Or was it less? Don't remember - that's how long ago it was. Only snag is that the trend in sunnies is the big, bug-eyed ones and aviators, which looks ridonkulous on me. Might need to go to pasar malam tomorrow to look :P (Did you know that the sunglasses that David Caruso uses with dramatic effect on CSI: Miami are actually designer? Seriously! The Silhouette Titanium Model 8568 are known as the Horatio Caine sunglasses and I don't think they're available anywhere)

  • Got a book ring book in the mail this week - a New Scientist compilation: Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?

  • Found out this week that Keane is due to make a stop in Singapore in August at Fort Canning. With the show supposedly on a Thursday night, it would mean that I would have to take 2 days off cos there's no way that I could do an overnight ride back or anything (there isn't - unless I take the overnight KTM train back :P). Much as I would like to extend my stay, but for the sake of my wallet, I better not. Been plotting the ways to travel down again (might take the bus down this time because of the piggy flu), which will be a topic of an upcoming post. Stay tuned. I might also shell out money to stay at a hotel for the night and get a bloody Ez-Link card for myself once and for all.

  • Finally got a new pair of sunnies at the nearby pasar malam - RM15. The lenses are about mid-sized and are not aviators.
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posted by synical at 11:40 AM, | |

Jeff Dunham - Achmed the Dead Terrorist

Saturday, June 27, 2009
I finally got round to checking out Jeff Dunham, the ventriloquist with puppets with a mean comedic streak. Saw the three Comedy Central specials available over the last couple of weeks and they're freaking hilarious!

Check out this video clip posted of one of Jeff Dunham's comedy specials with one of his puppets Achmed the Dead Terrorist, basically a Halloween skeleton with bandages and a beard. Fricking hilarious.


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posted by synical at 12:07 AM, | |

Staycation Day 2

Friday, June 26, 2009
Did some chores and errand in the morning. Killed some time in Ikano and The Curve in the afternoon hours. Bought another knit top, but at MNG this time. Had to fight the urge to get a decent-looking cardigan while I was still there.

Came home and was online around 4.30 p.m. when I read that L'Oreal Malaysia is having a one day sale in their offices in Uptown today and finishes at 5 p.m. Got to the sale with minutes to spare and they were packing it up. Only got a Kiehl's body and hand lotion and sunblock as I needed them and I wanted to try also.
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posted by synical at 7:45 PM, | |

RIP, Farrah and Michael

[Taking a short break from the usual nonsense...]

Heard about Farrah Fawcett's death around midnight locally. No big deal lah, cos of the cancer - if she survived it would've been a miracle.

I didn't hear about Michael Jackson dying until after I got up this morning.

Unlike Ms Fawcett, MJ was still (as far as we know) wasn't in grave ill health. So the fuss about him from everyone on the planet, saddened by his death.

I'm sorry, but I was more upset (and amused) by Carradine's death than I was this one. But I didn't have to hear too much discussion about it anywhere today as I was still on my staycation.
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posted by synical at 7:24 PM, | |

Staycation Day 1, Part 2 - Midvalley

Thursday, June 25, 2009
After the Benefit sale and off the feeder bus at the LRT station, I hopped on the FREE shuttle bus to Midvalley. It wasn't too bad a trip: got some samples (not for me), walked around a bit, checked out the Zara sale and bought a plain tee shirt, yada yada yada.

HOWEVER - I lost my sunglasses and the cap on my iPod whilst I was walking both Midvalley and The Gardens. Yes, I'm annoyed that I lost them both; the sunnies because it means I have to find one I like which are not the bug-eyed, huge ass ones under RM50, the cap because it would mean that I would have to use the original one that I had not been using cos it wouldn't fit over the silicone casing. And don't get me started on the casing - how the fuck does one find accessories anymore for first generation iPod shuffles? SERIOUSLY?!

Came home about 4 something, showered, took a cat nap and headed to pasar malam before dinner to find a less bulky pouch for the new camera and to get yet another diamond casing (read: see through plastic, not actual diamonds) for my phone - I go through these like some people change underwear - which is not too bad for RM5 each, but you can't do it too often.

As for the pouch for the camera - bought the largest one I could find, and I added a lining of bubble wrap on the inside, stuck together with double-sided tape. Cheapnye, right?

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posted by synical at 11:14 PM, | |

Staycation Day 1 - Benefit Sale

Didn't get too much sleep (nothing new there), and with the five day weekend (never got round to cancelling the three days I took) in hand, I found out last night that Benefit Cosmetics was having a sale in their offices in Millenium Tower, so I thought: since I'm already on leave, I might as well just go check it out lah, right? Since the sale is only today and tomorrow (to deter the weekend crowd? Don't know).

Got there about 9-something after having breakfast in Kanna Curry House with Dad and bro (dad's idea, not mine) and there was a slow moving line. It's not long that it was until the elevators, but it might as well be - the line consisted mostly of women working in the building and the odd person who doesn't already work there (i.e., moi). Probably waited for about an hour (at least that's what some of the other women in line with me were saying) before I finally got past the door. I passed the time bitching about the situation with some of the other people in line. I have to mention that there are no guys lining up. Cell phone reception in the building also sucked the closer I got to the sale. Coincidence? Hmm.

The sale was in one of their meeting rooms (earlier thought it was the pantry owing to the hot water dispenser, etc behind them) and there was not much room to browse - it's one of those situations where you need to have a very good idea of what you want to get and knowing your relevant shade for specific products. The pakcik that was the only crowd control on hand was pretty nice, but I can't imagine dealing with a bunch of hormonal, bargain-hunting (perhaps hungry?) females waiting in line for cheap cosmetics. Due to the size of the room the sale was in, he could only let one or two people in at once as some of the other people were still hemming and hawing over the limited variety of product available.

Having waited in line so long, I probably stayed longer than I should have. Fortunately my sensible, cheapskate side prevailed (noticed that the stuff was not as cheap as I had read of) and I only got a brow zing set (in light) for RM59 for my trouble (I know it was cheaper last year, but they didn't come with the implements :P - these people must be shitting me).

If you're hoping to find their bestselling items, well... don't. Seriously. Don't bother taking time off if that's all you're hoping. If nothing else, at least the items on sale had last year's manufacturing, which was not TOO old, but thought you should know too.

If you read blogger Miu's review of the sale (thought she wasn't going... until I thought I saw her leaving as I was talking to uncle outside the building later), she thought it was a bit of a letdown too. You can read her post to find out what was on sale - I could tell you, but I wouldn't bother: I can flip through the catalogue and I'll tell you what is and is not available in that sale.

Anyhow, buzzed uncle (who works in the building) afters (texted him when I first got in line; told him that I'd text again when I was done) and we chatted briefly outside while he soaked some rays (lol) while I was waiting for a feeder bus out of there. I probably left about noon-ish.

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posted by synical at 8:27 PM, | |

Dinner at Papa John's in Berjaya Times Square

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Killed some time in la-la land (or Berjaya Times Square as normal people would call it) last night because Dad had this dinner to go to in Shaw Parade and I was the designated driver with the sibling as the assigned security detail for me. It took an hour to reach downtown because of the number of cars that decided to break down en route, as well as Dad's crappy direction giving. WTF.

Parked in Shaw Parade and walked the creepy walk over, past various karoeke joints, clubs and restaurants. Had the 2-person set meal - 9" original pizza (choose one out of the 6 stipulated), two cokes, and breadsticks - at Papa John's (it's either there or the branch in IOI Mall) - I guess the pizza was not that bad. Breadsticks were so-so, but I thought it was pretty stupid that for a starter we were 2/3 of the same ingredients as the pizza we're about to have. Would it kill them to have a small salad or something else instead? As for the pizza, we went with the Texas Heat, and while it was piping hot, it wasn't spicy at all. Not even the pickled chillis that we got with the pizza; which was more like the pickled chilli in the soy sauce with your noodle soup order.

It took longer than usual to get my freaking change back. I don't know what took them so long - based on the change that I did finally got back, my guess was that they had a 10-cent shortage. Urgh.

For dessert, we got a donut each at Krispy Kreme (which was next door) and chilled a little bit before heading back to Shaw Parade to look for Dad. Even paid RM8 (expensive I know, don't remind me) for the short ride back there cos I felt that it was too creepy to walk back at that time of night.
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posted by synical at 7:33 PM, | |