housemate frenzy

Housemate (2005)
Producer: JerryWho
Duration: 11'44"
Language: Mandarin with English subtitle

Finally, I have found the time to shoot a shortfilm to compete in this year's Astro Chinese Short Film Awards. Since I see myself as an expert ghost storyteller, I figured I might as well put together a screenplay based on some of my experiences.

And for people who know me, some of my encounters range from scary to very scary. In order not to cause widespread panic and thus my chances of winning anything at all, I have decided to pick some really mild stories and piece them together into this short piece of work.

This is one project that has taken over 3 years to realize. It began with a bunch of friends from cyberland who are more virtual than reality; we had loads of discussions, and things seemed to be moving forward but suddenly stalled. That was my first taste of people who talk but not walk.

A year later, Astro organised the competion with Canon on the second year, being busy, I was certain I didn't have the time to do it that year, with or without friends. But I kept on working on my screenplay.

Finally, 2 weeks before the September 30th deadline of the contest for the third year, I told myself I better do it, or I will be no different from those people.

So, last Monday, with the help from 7 and MM, we shot the entire principal photography in 4 hours on location borrowed from MM's friend.

Weird things happened as we went along - I had an entire scene missing from footage.

But I finally finished cutting the short on the day after shoot, and did music and effects on the following day. Sound effects work was a long and painful process - scary films call for scary sounds, and I have a lot of those lying around.

I spent the rest of the third day working on the music, I composed, arranged and recorded a new track for the end credit run. It was a good experience as I had to practise my guitar playing and generally reconnect with the musical side of me.

MM recorded two nursery tunes that were transformed into some scary stuffs.

Total time taken to work on the project, excluding dreaming up the story: 4 days.

Pre-production was about 25-minutes, the time taken for me to drive from Cheras to my house in PH - the storyline was formalised as I drove home one night 2 weeks ago.

Anyway, the end result was okay, the short has an eerie feel to it, which I guess should be fine.

Wish me luck.

Radio Headphones

I don't know if you can remember back in the 70's FM portable radios comes in the form of a pair of huge headphones. These were quite popular for those on-the-move - great if you want to go skating or jogging.

Years later, with the digital revolution, an MP3 player cum FM radio was released. Evergreen (Japan) released two models in its newest MP3 player line, dubbed the EG-HPM, on September 22nd. The audio player is a neckband headphone type of player, which from appearances looks like it wraps around your neck and the headphone part rests comfortably on one��s ears.

The EG-HPM will come in 256MB (�D12,800 about MYR430) and 512MB (�D14,800 about MYR500). The player will be initially available on Evergreen��s website, and will also be available at stores throughout Japan.

Frankly, I was attracted by this gadget... fortunately the player is only available in Japan, and I won't be going there in the near future (or is it... ?)

Does iPhoto 5 Cut It?

I am not a huge fan of Apple's iLife suite: I prefer Final Cut Pro over iMovie, Soundtrack Pro and Digital Performer over Garange Band, DVD Studio Pro over iDVD and iView Media Pro over iPhoto.

My main problem with iPhoto, is the way it forces my files to be saved in a way I am not happy with, and the speed of the software displaying pictures are not as smooth as iVuew Media Pro. As I am writing this entry, I am finally giving iPhoto another chance - I am importing pictures into iPhoto and see how version 5.01 handles files and refresh rates.

I really hope it surprises me.

.................................................................................

I have imported 650 photographs, the refresh rate of thumbnails has improved, but I don't know if this has anything to do with my 1.25GB of RAM. But the speed has improved dramatically.

My gripe remains, however, is the way it saves files, I am now checking out the ways to keep my files organised in a way that I can find the files easily.

It should organise files the way iTunes does the files, now, it's impossibly difficult to find image files... maybe I need to get used to this...

It copied everything into the iPhoto library, instead of moving the files over. So it duplicated the 1.7GB worth of files on my hard disk, for the newbies, they will probably panic because their hard disk was eaten up in an alarming rate.

.................................................................................

You might want to know my verdict: I will stick to iView Media Pro - moments after I imported the photographs, iPhoto stopped responding.

Photoshop users should stick to the file browser and Adobe Bridge, professionals don't have the time to restart applications and try to fix them.

I guess Apple needs to relook at this.

Low Tech Theatre

The local Chinese theatre scene is a proliferate one; they try their best to come up with some performance on a regular basis.

Their shows are presented in small theatres that can cramp about 50 odd people with a stage that is barely large enough for a class of students.

The sound system is mono, which means sound only comes from one direction.

The lights are hung from rails that look like they will fall from the ceiling any time.

The seats, are plastic chairs you normally find at most Mamak Stalls.

But that didn't stop people from coming. The performers hard at work, and the audience, seemingly fascinated.

I am a difficult lad to please, as I was pampered by high tech stuffs... smokes and mirrors are the bare minimum, stereo multi speakers systems with sub woofers are the bare basics.

So, when I attend these drama performances, I suffer greatly from my high tech background; the low tech approach of the local Chinese theatre angers me because there are ways to make the drama more dramatic with the help of simple low tech innovations.

I blame the people's lack of drive to learn, their inability to embrace technology and the refusal to learn angers me.

But, that's just me.

If you are one of the people involved in Chinese theatre and are reading this (which means you read English), leave me a message.

Let's see what we can do.

14: Apple Malaysia Repair Turnaround Time

FOURTEEN FREAKING DAYS!

Even if you have MARNEE to pay them.

By now, everyone who knows me, and some who don't, know that I have accidentally dropped my iPod (his name is JerryPod) and it is now in Apple custody for replacement.

And to think we are three-and-a-half freaking hours drive away from Singapore we should be okay right?

The lorry drivers who zoom along the North-South Highway can do 150km/h with their eyes closed right?

So, when Apple tells you, "we will get you a replacement unit in 7 days" is an underpromise-over-deliver strategy, right?

NOOOOO MANNN!!

I called 7 days after I was sure JerryPod has reached the hands of the people at the AppleCare Centre and 10 days after I handed it to a friendly guy at the AppleCentre (who took two days to hand the unit over to the service centre), and the answer was: "Sorry, Mr Who, I have checked the status of the iPod and found out that is out of stock!"

BLOODY HELL!

Out of Stock then keep quiet quiet, also never call me to make me feel better, wait till I call then go check!

This is not good! so I asked the fellow how long more must I wait.

"They said next shipment coming," he said, voice shivering, I was sure.

"Next shipment coming when?" I demanded.

"Dunno... maybe 1 week?" he lied, because I know this: no one knows, not even god himself (I meant Steve Jobs), knows, unless he called Singapore, where the phones were often left to ring on the hook until the voice activated system takes over.

"You sure? One Week?" I asked, "for the record?"

Unknowingly, my journalistic tone leaked and I was sure that freaked him out.

"They said next shipment coming, I'll call you when it arrives, maybe one week," he said, this time not so confidently.

MAYBE ONE WEEK?

So, by now, September 23, JerryPod has been in Apple for over 10 days, and counting.

Our Taiwanese friends takes about 14 days to get their parts and stocks, I wonder if I need to wait longer than them.

And TAIWAN IS FOUR HOURS FLIGHT FROM SINGAPORE!!!!!!

And to remind you, they are just replacing the iPod, not REPAIRING it! how difficult is that?

Take one unit from the shelf and pass it to me and then say "THANK YOU" as I paid them?

Man In Mask

No, I wasn't wearing a white ski mask to match the colour of the iPod and iBook to show support.

But if everyone uses a picture like this on their NRIC, we will all look alike and peace will be on Earth, right?

Then no one will be unique and thus everyone can be anyone? *shudders* this is bad.

But, such is the current status of cosmetic technology: Facial on Demand.

The FoD technology has made every self-respecting Metrolsexual Men (or those who wouldn't admit it) to have their face whitened at home.

At least you know you'll be using some non-animal tested cream that will not make your nose drop like one particular King of Pop we know.

My user experience? Pulling a straight face - yes, I kept that expression on - for 15 minutes and no talking can be a pain in the A$$.

So here's a checklist:

But do I feel prettier? -- Not really,

My face feels cleaner? -- Not really,

Am I whitened? -- Not really,

Sigh... what does this thing really do?

Steve, In Person

A couple of years ago, I was invited by the fruity company to attend one of the last Macworlds supported by the computer company in New York. That was also my last outing as a technology journalist even though I wasn't there on assignment.

The year they launched the first iBook.

After the keynote address, we were herded into a packed room with reporters from all over the tech world. I found myself a nice seat in front of a group of Japanese journalists. While most of us have upgraded to the PowerBook G3, the Japanese were still obsessed with the miniscule PowerBook 2400; almost all the Japanese journalists were using that little wonder.

We waited for a while before the whole group of management team from the company took the stage.

That was the second time I met him, the first was six months before where I visited Cupertino.

The journalists shot questions about the new machines and Steve was talking about the successful launch of the products.

That was when I raised my hand and asked: "Steve... what happened to Mac OS X Server? did it sell well?"

Bwahahaa... I was dead sure I was sucked into Steve's alternate reality force field for a while as I cannot remember his answer. or if he had given me an answer at all.

Anyway, I took pictures of the group on stage. On the Left, is Jonathan Ive, the Aston Martin guy who had a hand in most of the company's product designs.

I had a great time that year, in New York, and I wonder if Malaysia's Status of the Macintosh reporting has improved since the days when we were making headways in tech journalism.

It's a pity the local papers are more interested in AFP or other syndicated news sources nowadays.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events Of JerryWho

Dear Reader,

If I were you, I would immediately turn your computer off rather than view any of the dreadful images, read any of the wretched information, laugh at any of the unnerving jokes or examine the unpleasant toys presented within this post.

You, the unwary computer user, are only a click away from learning more about A Series Of Unfortunate Events, a terrible collection of happenings that spoiled my otherwise happy and uneventful day of my life.

It began like any other day, when I woke up to the noise coming from downstairs: the TV, I told myself... but I was alone in the house... then my logical mind told me it must be my parents, because they are the ones who have the keys to my house.

Freshened, I went downstairs to find my mum making breakfast, and my dad having Nasi Lemak in the living room.

"We bought your share," Mum announced.

"Where is the Road Tax certificate?" my Dad asked.

"Err... I will pick it up from the insurance guy later," I told him.

"Eat your Nasi Lemak!" Mum ordered.

Dropping my work on hand, I took a fork and dug through the packet of rice.

"Here, have your red bean soup!" Mum shoved a huge Korean bowl of sweetened red bean soup in my face.

"Okay..." I poured the contents into my mouth and went back to work...

Then, an SMS message from HUE: "hey do u have summons to pay? i think tomorow 's the lst day."

He reminded me that if we don't pay up by tomorrow, we'll miss the 50% discount our friendly Royal Police Force offered those who ran the red lights and broken a rule or two.

"i think we have to go to MV to pay b4 4pmlah... i have one. :( i think its RM50," he added.

Since I have 2 fines to settle, I told him I'll be there.

On the way out, I dropped by the Insurance Agent, who was unfortunately missing in action.

A Malay lady came out from the back of his dubious-looking office and told me to call the numbers that were printed on the namecards stacked neatly on the table in the office.

Following instructions, I called.

"Yes! I am Mr Ng ah... You want to do road tax? what car you have?" he asked, in a friendly tone.

So, I explained what I needed him to help, telling him that my car will be unfit for the road in 5 days.

"Don't worry... we have a lot of time... I have a dinner appointment, can we meet in the morning?" he said confidently.

"Okay, I guess..." I muttered.

"Don't worry... I meet you tomorrow!" very reassuring, I thought.

So I hopped into my car and drove towards Mid Valley, Asia's Largest Shopping Mall, or so it claims...

The drive towards the Mall wasn't that bad, no traffic jams and all.

HUE called me on the phone to see if I was on my way, and since I was just leaving the carpark, I said I was, and would be meeting him in 20 minutes.

Parking, I SMS'ed HUE and found that he was just parking too.

I surfaced from the basement carpark and found the Pondok Polis (Police Hut, literally) on the ground floor situated next to the bank.

I walked passed the Pondok and found a handwritten notice that says "Bayar Saman, Trafik, TQ"

Puzzled, I went to the bank to deposit a cheque before I came back out to find out more about the notice.

Unfortunately, I am out of luck: "You have to go to Bukit Aman to pay the fines," one friendly Malaysian Polis told me.

Bukit Aman? that's very far away, and out of the way!

"I think we found the wrong police station," I called HUE, "looks like we have to go to a traffic police station."

"Yeah..."

But it was alread 4PM and it was too late to go anywhere.

"Lets get some lunch!" I offered.

"Okay..." HUE agreed, and we walked to the food court for lunch.

While standing inline for my Kakak's Special Curry Laksa, an ugly man cut my queue and called me "uncle".

Unfortunately I was too hungry to make any noise.

Finishing lunch... I gotten a call from MM, and decided to head home.

It was raining heavily and the unfortunate thing to happen was: I was running out of petrol and I missed a turn and had to make an unfortunaly huge detour to get home.

Home, MM and I went out to get some more food and decided we go watch a movie at Summit.

Land Of The Dead's zombies were not as unfortunate as me: as we were leaving the THX theatre, I realised my pocket was empty: I have lost my mobile phone!

My black Sony Ericsson T630!

We searched the theatre and I quickly rushed to the box office to seek help, hoping that the nice people at the box office could try to call my number to see if anyone would pick up the call.

Unfortunately, the guys at the box office were not so nice, and didn't help at all, so, I hurried to the nearest public phone booth to make a call.

Unfortunately, the phone was already switched off: the unfortunate tell-tale sign of your phone being stolen.

Not knowing the Maxis number to call to report my unfortunate story, I had to rush home to get the number.

"I am sorry to hear that, sir," the guy at the other end of the line said politely, and I could tell from his tone of voice, he wasn't sorry at all, "you can pick up your new sim card at any Maxis Centre, but you have to pay 60 ringgit."

Huh? I am the victim here, I just lost a 1500 ringgit mobile phone and I am being punished for it?

How more unfortunate can your life be?

AND TO THE GUY WHO STOLE MY PHONE: KNNBCCB, I wish even more unfortunate things will happen to you... YES! I curse you in the name of the cyberGODs ...nabeh! may you die of some unfortunate illness that makes you suffer 5 years that begins with you losing your dick before you lose all your hair!

... so now, here I am, dear reader, in this unfortunate crossroad of deciding between a 3G mobile phone or the Sony Ericsson W800i, and unfortunately, I am still undecided.

sigh...

I have made a solemn vow to present this information to the general public, but there is no reason why you should follow any of my stories to begin the perilous journey into A Series Of Unfortunate Events.

With all due respect,

JerryWho

More Canon XL H1 Details

I copied this from the DV Magazine, it details the specs of the Canon XL H1.

My observations should follow shortly.


Last but not least? The Canon XL H1 enters the HDV camera market at $8,999, which includes the price of the removable lens.

Canon Announces HDV Camera
by Kimberly Reed

Canon entered the HDV camera fray by announcing the XL H1. The new camera looks like a black version of the XL1 or XL2 with a few extra buttons and features. It's built around three 1/3-inch native 16:9 CCDs with a resolution of 1440 x 1080.

The XL H1 shoots 60i and two Frame modes of 30f and 24f. The Frame mode is similar to early Canon digital camcorders--it's not technically a progressive frame because the CCDs aren't progressive, but fields are interpolated and reinterlaced in Canon's proprietary method to allow the "f" frames to behave just like "p" frames during postproduction. Canon representatives said their method would work much better than other manufacturers' attempts at 24p-like HDV (read Sony).

The hefty camcorder comes with an interchangeable 20 X HD video zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization. Representatives weren't stating lens resolution figures as of press time, but f-stop ranges from f/1.6 to f/3.5. Focusing distance at wide angle is just 20 mm. It will be interesting to compare the quality of this lens with the Fujinon lens that comes with the JVC HD100 HDV camcorder, the closest competitor to the XL H1 in features and price. Stay tuned for more on that comparison in a future issue of DV.

Although it sounds like an option, Canon's "professional jackpack" is built into every XL H1 and provides some of the most unique features of the camera. It enables uncompressed digital HD-SDI 60i output, Genlock, and SMPTE timecode in and out. The combination of these three features will interest broadcasters who haven't considered Canon cameras before, potentially opening up a new market segment for Canon.

The XL H1 is the first camera to use Canon's proprietary Digic DV II image processor for HD, SD, and still photo processing. It records to HDV or miniDV tapes.

Building on a trend started with the XL2, Canon lets this camera's users customize recording parameters such as color matrix, cine gamma, color gain, hue, master color, knee, black stretch, horizontal detail, sharpness, and noise reduction. For $599 extra, Canon is also releasing Console image control software, which remotely controls camera settings and provides on-set image analysis tools in the same vein as Serious Magic DV Rack. Camera profiles can be stored to flash disk and used to set up other cameras.

The camera can also serve as a still camera in two different modes. Pictures can be snapped while the camera is running, sending 1920 x 1080 dpi 2.1-megapixel images with recording info metadata to standard Secure Digital (SD) or MMC media cards. If the camera is switched into photo-only mode, it can capture up to 5 frames per second, and EOS flash units can even be used.

The XL H1 camcorder with the 20 X HD lens will be available in November 2005 for an estimated selling price of $8,999.

Kimberly Reed is editor-in-chief of DV.

����`�A�ּ֡H

It started some 10 years ago, when I met these bunch of kids in church.

SP is the blur toad who never fails to not catch our jokes, BC is the one who makes sure we have some food, and HUEY and LS are always looking for alternative entertainments.

So, I used to drive them around in my car, and even though people at the church made loads of noise about us being indecent, we didn't care.


Fast forward to 10 years later, we had HUEY's favourite BBQ party at the apartment where he shares with LS, SP is married with a girl, and another one coming, and BC was harping about his.

And most importantly, we are still together, in a way at least, we still meet up every now and then, though BC is the glue to make sure we come back together for a drink, or tea. Soon the little ones will be running around and I think that is going to be fun. One day!

Happy Mid Autumn Festival! One and All.

rm780 "only"

I know, I know, people have been telling me it's a bitch to fix the iPod. And even if you have extended warranty, the HDD is not covered. And since it's not covered, and I figured the HDD is the first thing to create problem in a HDD-based playback system, I didn't take up the iPod AppleCare offer.

So, the story continues as I took out my now defunct iPod and removed the clear plastic screen protector I bought in Akiba, and put the iPod into a nice velvet sleeve and headed towards the friendly fruit stall.

Sun the guy at the stall lifted up the iPod as I took it out of the sleeve and admired at the "newness" of the iPod.

"Whoa! still so shinny!" he said, and seemingly looking for something... "where's the dent?" he looked puzzled.

Dent? my iPod? dented? I realised he was looking for a smoking gun.

"No dent! of course, i think it cannot take 1 Hertz shocks," I said.

"1 Hertz?" he asked.

"Ya, it fell face down, in a very expansive leather pouch and dropped on the floor, 1 pop, didn't bounced, 1 Hertz, technically," I explained to him, in a clam, polite tone.

"Okay..." he said, still looking confused, "I will write you a repair note and send it in."

"Okay," I said, "just let me know if it'll cost me an arm and a leg."

"Sure!" he heartily agreed.

Days later, a call from him told me Apple doesn't repair faulty HDD, but they can sell me a new unit while taking back the old as a "trade-in".

"780 bucks," he said, after an exhaustive explanation of my plight.

"I'll think about it," I said.

Then my brain went overdrive doing maths: the Nano: 1,280, 4GB, my 3G: 780 to replace, 40GB. My iTunes library size to date: 45GB.

The decision was easy to make, I called him again that I'll take the deal.

"It'll take 7 days for this to be processed," he said.

"Can I upgrade?" I tried.

"Nope, that's the deal," he said sternly.

A Deal is A Deal, I guess... and Sun is a nice guy...

"Oh well... I am the one who dropped the iPod!" I lamented.

Sigh... let's hope the "new" unit is as shinny as my old unit.

Mine Looked Like NEW, remember?

Finally! A Canon I want to own!

People who know me know I am a Nikon guy. I have a collection of Nikon lenses and bodies and I have grown accustomed to the way the camera maker designs cameras. In other words, I don't need to see to know which button I pushed or what function I have selected.

They will also know that I am a Sony guy when it came to video cameras, I have the PC110, PC115 as well as the DVX2000, all very nice cameras that gave great results.

People know know me know I am not too much of a Canon person because I don't quite like the "soft focus" pictures the XL series rendered.

But recently, I have been looking at the HDV cameras the various makers have to offer, and there aren't many, to begin with, considering my small budget.

I have tried the JVC HDV cameras, as well as the Sony HDV cameras, both have their merits but haven't gotten my nod of approval... but this new toy from Canon might just be the first Canon I want to buy.

Best of all, the camera comes in BLACK colour!! The Canon XL H1 has an improved 3 1.67-mega-pixel-CCD and an interchangeable lens system that can be connected to the Canon XL universe of gadgets... let's hope this fellow is affordable in my part of the world.

One thing I really don't understand is why must Canon stick to the odd shaped chasis design of the XL series; it doesn't make sense at all, the camera is front heavy unless you load up the back with the options. Anyway, there are people who like the design and I am not saying they are wrong...

Let me go bug my friends at the shop and let you know what my findings are later...

Going to HK to buy the nano, anyone?

I was checking out the prices of iPod products between Asian countries and had a shocking find: the nano is cheaper by almost RM300 in Hong Kong!

Looks like a trip to the Smallest Disney in the World is imminent.

Cause and Effect

What brews Domestic Terrorism?

Poverty? Constant Opression?

Anyone?

help.Mac.to

I have been following this thread for a while.

Mac users of the world, shouldn't we give our brothers a helping hand?

Where Were You? When It Happened?

It was 9:40PM some four years ago.

I was about to sit down to eat my Teowchew Mui (Teow Chew Porridge) with my parents who have just returned from Shanghai in USJ Taipan when the first hint of trouble came from Hong Kong: "a plane crashed into the Twin Towers" a friend told me in an SMS text message sent from the former British Colony.

"You must be joking" I replied.

"No! I am watching CNN now!" he wrote, "go ask you journalist friends for details!"

Dropping the spoon, I quickly called a friend in Singapore who is watching Fox News and confirmed the story.

"Terrorist?" I sent him a message.

"Maybe," he replied, "but this is just like the Hollywood movies!"

I then told my parents to quickly finish supper and head home.

My television was left switched on for the next 2 weeks.

And in that two weeks, we were given a new definition of the word "Terrorism": it is now defined as the anti-American-way-of-life.

I chuckled when I heard the POTUS said that, try saying that in a straight face and act like you mean what you said yourself, and you'll know why I laughed.

While I detest the way 6,000 lives were taken away, I applaud the way the British responded when they were bombed in London. Instead of starting another war thousands of miles away, they did what they should do: they fought the "war" in the battleground where the fight should have been - AT HOME.

Sometimes, your greatest enemy is none other than yourself.

The world is not the same anymore.

But where were you? when it happened? The day the POTUS changed the rule of the game and changed the world?

Twinkie's Tales

Dear Sarah,

It's bad enough going through a disaster, let alone going through the process of being displaced to a totally different environment and hoping to go back to normalcy even though you know deep inside that the "normal life" you had will never be the same again.

However, one thing remains, and will always be comforting: that human nature is most of the time good and kind.

I am sure you will find your new life better and I hope you hold the belief that you will always be better today than yesterday, then, you will never ever need to look back at the bad things that had happened (the disaster included) and move on.

God Bless You.

I think I can represent people in my part of the world to wish you well.

Jerry
_________________________________________________

I stumbled across this blog as I was wasting my life away clicking on the "next blog" button on the top left hand corner of the page, and felt compelled to leave a comment.

It dawn upon me that, despite the shortcomings of the current POTUS, there are real people with real problem like the rest of us in the so-called "Third World Countries", and had to remind myself how lucky we are, living in countries that are not prone to disasters like typhoons, earthguake, hurricane etc etc.

Hang in there, human-shortcomings are short-lived (they won't last longer than 8 years), but the good in human spirit is forever.

The Radio Thing

I've been listening to a lot of radio lately.

Is this a good thing? or is this a bad thing?

Truth be told, this is because my iPod isn't working and I need some noise in the car when I drive.

My favourite radio boradcasts have always been Commercial Radio 881 of Hong Kong; the DJs are intelligent, witty, responsive, and speak no nonsense.

They do their homework, and preached what they believed; what they practiced is not something I can verify.

And I have been off loading recordings through the Internet onto my iPod so I can listen to the broadcast while driving. This drives some people nuts because they think they are in the wrong country.

But when you are surrounded by voices of reason, you feel better.

At least, that's how I feel.

If you have RealPlayer, listen here. (oh, if you are in the office, please don't hog the network, audio streaming takes up loads of bandwidth!)

The Right Thing

I was listening to the radio today, debating whether is our exPM qualified to keynote address the participants at a Human Rights event held here in Malaysia.

The funny thing was, when human rights groups in Malaysia protested against his presence at the event, our exPM asked if his rights was obstructed.

He is a smart man, the doctor.

He has the right to do that all right, Freedom of Speech is one right we cherished. Moreover, he is more than qualified to speak there, being qualified means you have studied, or learn something about a subject and excelled in it, the Man is more than qualified.

Some said the people who were oppressed are more qualified, but what makes a man who sat in jail more qualified than the man who put them in jail in the very first place?

Yes, he is smart, and he is indeed qualified.

Perhaps, the radio show asked the wrong question: While he is qualified, and had the right to voice his mind, is it the Right Thing to do? Putting him on a platform that addresses the human rights issue of the country?

I'll let you be the judge of that.

This is what the good Doctor told the press.

This is what Kit has to say in his blog.

____________________________________________________

Malaysian Human Rights Day 2005 Conference: Human Rights and Globalisation
Date: 9 Sep 2005
Venue: Le Meridien, Kuala Lumpur
Group/Division: General

Objective:
To analyse the impact of globalisation on human rights in Malaysia in order to:

i) Promote understanding of the positive and negative consequences of globalisation;

ii) Seek appropriate responses to globalisation.

More

My Christmas Wishlist

Dear Santa,

I'll be a good boy this instant and stay a good boy till Christmas. If you find it hard to get me the iPod Nano due to stocks shortage, I'll settle for the Sony PSP.

I promise you I will not try to hack the system, or download porn UMDs so I can share it with my equally crooked friends.

Trust me, they will be good boys too, if you get them a PSP this Christmas. And they certainly won't download porn UMDs just to share with me, as I won't do the same for them.

As you know, my iPod has been in sick bay for months now, and knowing that the PSP can play a small part of my 40GB iTunes library (if you throw in some 2GB Memory Sticks, I'll be eternally grateful) makes it really helpful. And not forgetting its widescreen format display that can play movies from Japan.

Just to make sure you won't get the wrong toy, the pictures are posted here... and as you can see in the picture, this guy has a lot of buttons... and you know how much I love buttons...

So what do you say? I can declare tomorrow Christmas if you are willing to drop down the chute (I don't have a chimney, so the rubbish chute should suffice) and put one of these black beauties on my bed. Heck, I won't even mind if you woke me up in the process, just make sure you don't dirty my carpet as you climb out of the chute.

So... Merry Christmas in advance!

Thank you Santa, in fact, if you stay a good boy till Christmas, I am sure you'd want one of these too!


JerryWho

Greed Knows No Bounds, I Know - But I Still Want THIS!

The iPod nano??

I WANT I WANT I WANT!

The guy at Apple Malaysia said it's already on it's way here, so we will get it real soon...

But, frankly, do you really want to get the toy in Malaysia?

Apple products are typically cheaper in Singapore, Jarkata or Thailand, go do your own research! The iPods are much much cheaper in Singapore than in Malaysia... the MYR1890 "special offer" Mac Mini is only SGD 600+ you do your maths.

So, local warranty notwithstanding, I will go down South to get my Apple-logo toys anytime. Trust me, I do this often enough: I own 5 PowerBooks, some iMacs, some PowerMacs a Cube, a Newton, the SE and the iPod, most of which are purchased somewhere else other than Malaysia, and they ARE cheaper else where.

I don't know if the powers that be know this, but this is the Internet Age, it's far too easy to compare price.

You can find out for yourself at Apple Store Singapore, sometimes I wonder if these people actually know it's easy enough to find out information by ourselves.

And they dare tell you they serve you better, so you should buy locally.

What do you think?