What a programmer would do if made to repent by writing on a chalkboard

For Sadists...

This was entitled Greatest Video Game Death Ever.

And it is. Replayed it thrice, lol. Epic.

Also like how the girl has absolutely no reaction, haha..

Why you shouldn't use iTunes...

Skip rant and head down to the solution if you're already fed up with iTunes.

I hate iTunes. I really do. Before iTunes, I was a very happy user of Windows Media Player. Not that it's the most awesome player on earth. I just feel that it does quite a decent job.

Unfortunately, I got a ipod shuffle as a mp3 player as a birthday gift. It's a great gift for sure, I loved every bit of having it, except when I had to sync songs from my computer. At that time, I thought the only way to do it was through iTunes.

iTunes had A LOT of problems. I do mean a lot.

For one, it has very little intelligence or initiative. Everytime my computer acquires new songs, iTunes have no clue about it as opposed to WMP and a number of other players. Its because many other players have such "intelligence" and because I've been using WMP for years, I thought this was a basic standard feature to have. For someone that didn't have to "teach" the player to learn that I've new songs, doing that became a chore.

Another thing is, I've a habit of reshuffling my music folder hierarchy. Perhaps breaking a directory that have grown huge into smaller ones. Or that I finally found time to sort out a bunch of songs into their respective directories. I have to tell iTunes they've moved. No biggie right? Just the same chore. Well no, iTunes library will display duplicates - the old location and the new location. There is a way to remove duplicates and believe me, it is tiresome to set it up. The basic idea is to perform set theory on a few auto playlists. -_-" Sure I've already set it up once. But it just made me hate iTunes all the more. I'm working for a feature that is also considered basic.

Syncing used to be another cranky thing for iTunes. It's been improved. Still, no love from me for iTunes.

Top 3 Alternatives to iTunes

We can either wait for iTunes to catch up with the rest of the world, which will probably be long. I've already tolerated it for two years. Instead, I'd recommend using one of these. I've been searching around a lot and these three have consistently keep turning up with very high recommendations and reviews.

1. Sharepod
   One popular alternative that is very lightweight and portable is Sharepod. Its just an executable file that you can keep it on the iPod itself, so you can use it on any computer. Any computer with .Net Framework 2 that is... Unfortunately, I'm using version 4 and it doesn't work with it. You'll run into a runtime error and I've yet to find any solutions to it.
   
   Download it here.
   
   
2. foobar2000
   The one I'm using now. You have to set it up once when you run it the first time. After that initial hassle, your life is trouble free. Because I only use WMP (and iTunes) asides this, I can only compare this to WMP.
   I use WMP to rip and burn CDs because the interface is easy to learn and intuitive. I'm not sure what foobar2000 has to offer but I'm lazy to dig and learn if they can even do that. Foobar2000 on the other hand have iPod support (requires a plugin).
   As for general listening to music, I'd prefer foobar2000 because sometimes I rename the filename of songs that are of other languages or put them into directories that I named myself. These aren't picked up by WMP but they can be searched out by Foobar2000. The interface looks boring but I'd face it any day compare to the headaches iTunes have to offer.
   
   
   
   
   Download it here.
   Then download the plugin for ipod support.
   
   
3. Winamp
   I used this long ago. Pretty ok for a mp3 player but has additional iPod support now. Feel free to try this out. Quite a few people gave it a thumbs up though I haven't tried it personally. If ever foobar2000 fails me, this is the next thing I'd try and only because the feedback from users are overwhelming.
   
   Download it here.

If there's anybody still stuck in .Net framework version 2, and not planning to upgrade for some reason, I'd say go with Sharepod. I like the idea of it being lightweight and portable. I may switch if they ever decide to support the newer framework versions. Else, I'm sticking with foobar2000. iTunes is a thing of the past for me. Doubt I'll ever look back or regret it.

Double Lariat by Yoppei よっぺい

When you first come across Yoppei, you'd probably think he's crazy, have no voice control, can't sing and might have the urge to turn off the audio. Yet he's still a popular Uttate Mita singer. Why?

Well he CAN sing. Just that it's his personality to go wild and get crazy when he's singing. Just so you really won't turn off his audio on first try, the first song is him SERIOUSLY singing a song.

よっぺいがおちゃめ機能を歌うとこうなる



Here on, it's his "style" of singing, singing the song whatever he feels like at any point, going off key if he wants to. Just plain crazy.

Double Lariat

This is "Double Lariat" Live! Better the many versions floating around. -this- is the way Double Lariat should be sung. The live version is better than the recording imo. Also gotta love the totally random dancing people behind, lol

Double Lariat Live


Double Lariat on Piano (no singing)


Nicovideo link: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm6798397

The instrumental version is nice to listen to for a change :)

More Mii-chan covers!

Been digging around for his info =x Guess I'll compile it in the next post.

For now! Just some covers by Miichan that I liked.

To get the mp3, you know the drill.

Marionette

Nico Video: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm8996453
Nico Sound: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm8996453

I wonder where Nico Dubbers get their illustration from :( Wish I could read Japanese. Really frustrating to try digging into the world of Uttate Mita with a huge language barrier.

ペテン師が笑う頃に

Nico Video: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm7519215
Nico Sound: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm7519215

It's good to see he's not a conservative singer. The myriad of voice expressions here makes for an interesting song.

Mrs. Pumpkin

Nico Video: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm8569787
Nico Sound: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm8569787

T_T Betrayed Miichan. I actually prefer Kettaro or Seikhan's version. BUT! This is still good! Gomenasai Miichan~

Rolling Girl


Nico Video: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm9995723
Nico Sound: http://nicosound.anyap.info/sound/sm9995723

English version! Heavily autotuned. I wish he didn't autotune it so much so we could hear more of his original voice. Still, one of my favourite covers though.

For most songs, there are "collaborative" mix versions and I tend to prefer them over solo covers. Not that Mii-chan on his own is lousy. It's just that the song sounds richer when there are multiple singers. Miichan is still awesome on his own.

Plants vs Zombies

I COMPLETED THE GAME(adventure)! Yes i know that game was like ages ago. Its fun! I couldn't get my eyes off the screen, scared the zombies go pass my land! The credits part is freaking cute!

Sunflower as the singer! Hahaha! (day) [credits]

RoofTop!


My minigames! Yes i've not cleared the last two, very hard! :(

Puzzles! Yea the whack the vase puzzle my streak sucks la. 1 only. I like the one where i get to play as a zombie!


My ZEN GARDEN! That helps me earn quite alot of money if i sit infront of my computer and click click click.

And last but not least, my stupid wisdom tree. So small right! it's just that tiny thing sticking out -.- Still growing~

I have the application if you wanna play the game!

Specialist Skin Clinic

Recently, i've gone to see the Skin doc! Heres my story:

Its been more then a month since i went sentosa with my friends. We swam the whole afternoon in the sun and spamming the beach, catching fishes and super tiny crabs and all. Practically barefooted the whole day even in the shower.

Obviously not giving a dam about putting sun block and all the protect my skin, i got sun burned and it was quite bad. I looked really like a lobster, red like hell, pain like anything, peeling like nobody's business. The peeling was horrible, my make up didn't help but made it worse!
Anyway, as time flew my skin recovered! Except my feet. Till this very day, it's still peeling! I'm feeling itchyness as well. I told my sister about this who told my dad, and found out my dad has the same condition. Discussed with him and went along with him to see the skin specialist.

The doc. was an indian fella, quite friendly! His way of working is, extracting as much information from the patient, examine the patient and then giving his assesment and solution. And by explaining his assesment and solution, he writes on a paper which my dad just took it away from me! So i don't know what's my condition called.

The doctor said mine was worse! Due to my super dry skin due to genes(I got it from my mama~). Right. But i do remember his explanation:

My father has been trying to reduce the itch but the itch will still come back. Apparently my father's "barrier" is down. So the doctor's concept is to first build that barrier then all problems would be solved. It is like my dad has chased the theif out of the house, but did not lock the door. So the doctor is helping my father to lock the door. For me, i've to go through medication first! Must be my theif is still in the house!

So for the solution part, his giving my father a wash, a moisturizer because he has slight dry skin too due to old age, and some cream for i don't know what. And for me, the same wash and moisturizer, and a cream for my condition. I'm to go back to see him 4 weeks later :( Both my father and I, for that day's cost was about $400.



HOSPIGEL for washing and bathing affected areas(left), CETAPHIL an intensive moisturising cream for dry hands feet elboys and knees(middle) annndddd DIPROGENTA cream for my idk what condition

Singapore Poly General Elective Modules

And in short, its been referred to as GEMs! This semester will be the last semester i'll be taking GEMs in Singapore Poly. To meet the requirements, one have to take at least one from each 3 categories (Business and Management/Arts and Humanities/Science and Technology). So far i've i'm left with Arts and Humanities!

Modules i've choosen so far are Securing Your PC and Know Your Rights. Securing Your PC is a slacker's choice while Know Your Rights are just full of presentations which i hate! For this semester, i've just registered into Calenders And Astronomy! I heard its a slacker's choice too! Apparently the lecturer who's teaching this is my mathematical teacher during my year 1.

Getting the slot of your choice of module is rather difficult. I went in just the SECOND my appointment started, and there were only 2 slots left! Not to mention there were other days too.

Good Luck to me! And Sin Gui! You better get the slot! I chope* mine already!

For more information on the modules and timing, please refer to the link
http://www.sp.edu.sg/gems/

Paintball - Guide for casual beginners

Just yesterday, I headed over to Danga City Mall at Johor Bahru to try out paintball for the first time.

INTRODUCTION

Paintball is a live combat "shooting" scenario played using specialized "rlfles" called markers. It's not considered actually "shooting" people, you mark them with paint. That's why the weapons are called markers.

KNOW THE RISKS

Before you start, they usually ask you to sign a form to acknowledge you know the risks of paintball - including permanent disability and death. Thats sounds scary but if you sit up and listen during the briefing and learn what to do what not to do, theres actually minimal risk involved. Far from permanent disability and death at least.

Paintball is a pretty painful game. The rounds are spheres with paint inside them that explode on impact. From what I remember during the briefing, those are shot at 260m/s - enough to make your eyeball burst in a direct hit. Which is why rental of their specialized equipment is necessary.

All these would usually be repeated again when you're being briefed. They always nag to never ever remove the masks. Be careful where you point the gun once the safety catch is off. And many others...

To give you an idea what you'll be bringing home from paintball, I got a a few cuts on my left hand but when the shell of the rounds exploded and cut in. One of us got cut pretty badly from a shot in terms of surface area, not depth. It'll heal but still, we were a little shocked to see a bloody patch on the back of her hand. She still continued playing after that though. The rest went home with multiple bruises that swelled pretty nicely but went down in size in 6 hours so it's actually nothing serious.

ATTIRE

We checked out stuff like how to get there, how paintball was actually like and other things. But it wasn't till the very last minute (a day before actually) that I realised, I didn't know what we should wear. There are specialised equipment that normal casual gamers wouldn't have - paintball shoes, neck guards, etc... But all those weren't necessary. In actual fact, we didn't have to prepare much at all.

My primary concern was how to avoid spending my weekend scrubbing off paint. It turns out that the paint are very water soluble and are easy to wash out. Despite that, some use cheap paint that might stain slightly if your clothes are too lightly coloured. Therefore, always wear dark colours. They could never stain your stuff if they are dark enough.

When going to a casual paintball field, the following would be provided/rented to you - a jumper suit, a vest, a face mask and of course all equipment associated with actually marking people.

Since the jumper is provided, the only thing you should be wary of getting stained is actually your shoes. I wore black Converse sneakers that day and nothing happened to it. The canvas part weren't stained, the white rubber parts could be wiped clean in a jiffy.

Regarding the face mask: IT IS OKAY TO WEAR SPECTACLES!

They have a different face mask to cater for these people. My friend's glasses were pretty huge but they still fit. The masks are adjustable so if you do it right, they should be comfortable throughout the game.

HOW TO PLAY

Lol, honestly I don't think I can write much about it because I myself was just trying my best to aim and shoot. Sure we did discuss strategies at the start but they are always constantly changing throughout the game.

As a general rule, I found that moving in pairs is always better. We've been hit in a back a couple of times in our anxiousness to proceed forward. They move one whole round to get to the back so someone should stay behind another partner to cover him.

Also don't be afraid to get hit because although it is painful to get it. It is bearable and you'd feel your money is more worthwhile than playing defensively. You came to have fun right?

360 Degree Spherical Panoramas

I've seen this before. A version done at the base of the Eiffel Tower but never kept the link. Now I've stumbled across this again though not by the same person, amazing 360 spherical panoramas replicated onto Flash. The 360 effect done on Flash makes you feel more immersed in the scene as if you are really there, as compared to a flat 2D image.

Check it out.

Beneath Double Arch, Arches National Park
Sulphur Creek in Capitol Reef National Park
Payson Canyon, Utah

The creator is a professional photographer - Martin. For more of his work on 360 degree panoramas, check out Utah 3D.
He has other works which he showcases on his main site: vanhemert.com.

Pizza Hut's new pizza

With my poor memory, Pizza Hut has this new pizza thats called something like 7 cheesy blablabla. Basically its a pizza for cheeselovers! And i am one! The advertisements are like every where, mostly at singapore's bus stop posters.

For a regular size pizza for this cheese flavour, its about $18+. With an additional $2 you can add a hawaiian topping or turky bacon and mushroom topping. My sister and i went with the turky bacon and mushroom topping.

Soweee, my sister took the first piece away already.

While it is still hot, its really good. Though the crust may be a little on the salty side(maybe because of the bacon bits), the insides are omg! See those little balls, at first i thought they were meat balls, but it turned out to be cream cheese balls! Cheese Lovers do try!

*And pizza hut's drumlets never fail to satisfy my taste buds!

Owen Seafood Restaurant - Dead

And hereeeeeee are the dishes! We've got i-forgot-what-this-vege-is-called vegetables, steamed fish, 2 black pepper crabs and one small plate of e-fu noodles.


Vege~Fish~

Crab~ With a very hungry chopstick already

My favourite part of the crab! The claw! Ever since young i've been attacking this part of the crab
Luckily they prepared lemon water to wash my dirty hands!

*I didn't take the e-fu min

The vegetables and fish is really nice, especially the gravy of the fish. Seldom do you see me picking of vegetables, i dislike them but these are good! Sadly, their dishes are on the salty side so do remember to inform the chief to reduce the amount of salt when your at Owen Seafood Restaurant!

The black pepper crab are soooo.... WOOO! Crabs, i just love them. Apparently from my dad, he said the chilli crabs here are nothing special, it's their black pepper crab he find nice. For nice chilli crabs, he recommend no signboard restaurant. This place is recommended by my father in celebration of my birthday, Thanks Daddy!!!

The bill = $154.54
We went on a weekday. Imagine if we were to go on a week end, we'd have to pay 300+ bucks!

Owen Seafood Restaurant - Live

Owen Seafood Restaurant is located at turf city at the 3rd floor. Only on weekdays, there will be a 50% discount on the meals.


Owen Seafood

The discounts banner

Going to Owen Seafood Restaurant is like going to a mini aquatic aquarium excursion! A vast variety of sea creatures, fresh in their tanks! And the crabs are HUGE! Let the pictures to the talking alright!


Its huge i tell ya!
Crabby vs my puny finger! Still doesen't seem big? Look at the next picture!

The uncle saw how facinated i was by the size of their crabs and offered to lift up one for me to take a better picture of it!

I'm sorry, kia su me still can't get enought of the size of these crabs!

FROGS!!! EW! I heard they taste super good but i still dare not eat them! They look sick. I'd say these bunch of frogs are having a very good life already. Their sitting down, wait till you see the next picture!

These frogs have been standing! And i bet you they are very much alive, not dead! Poor fellas!


Eels!!!!!!!

A happy looking eel!

Reddish coloured crabs!

ABALONE! WOOOOO!

Prawns. These prawns have super cute legs i tell ya.

The main place where most of their tanks are!

Theres of course much more creatures there! Their lobsters are HUGEEEEE but i'm not going to post it's picture here. If you are a pro, you can go specifically pick which particular sea creature u want to be served at your table.

I shall post Owen Seafood Restaurant - Dead tomorrow, where the sea creatures are dead and being served to me and my family! Muahaha~

Maple Vacuum Hack

Yes i've been mapling due to boredness when i'm at home! Whenever there is no League of Legends or Dota, maple is my 3rd resort! I'm currently mapling at Cassiopia, a level 34 cleric! The quests really helps because when your training for a story, it makes things more interesting along with the extra additional experience points you will get after completing your quest.

Just yesterday, i was shock to see a mapler using Vacuum hack at kerning subway the map with blue bubblings! Gm Gm where are you! After seeing it, it totally makes me feel like hacking again :X Lazy laaaaaaaaaaaaa! Vacuum Hack is totally useful to the max. I'm consideringgg! Ops!

see the bubblings flying in midair?

*Ps: If you have the hack, do care to send? :X

East Coast Park - Punggol Jetty Fishing

Fishing! Whenever i hear the word fishing, i think of Punggol Jetty at East Coast Park. A very famous place for fishing i guess. My boyfriend used to always go there to fish through the night with his friends. I even saw ppl lighting up this sort-of-lamp and lowering it down until its near the surface of the water to give sight so that it is easier to catch stingrays or any sea creature thats swimming at the surface.

I usually see people catch those small fishes, which seems like a common catch, but if you really want the big ones then you would probably be sitting there for quite a few nights! One of the biggest fish he has ever seen people catching while he was there is this one.

Sadly it wasn't his catch!

But this one is his catch! A stingray! It looks so eeky and all, plus its bleeding!

I heard it tasted godly! I didn't get to taste it! Goodluck to those who are going to fish there!

Island Creamery

THANKYOU Clarice! For all your nonsense! First, on the prank call which i totally fell for it a few mins through my birthday. Dam i feel like an ediot! And secondly, for the surprise appearance at my house's gate! This girl told me to meet her at Bankit and when i left my house, I saw this Clarice-look-alike-size-alike girl standing outside and the minute she turned, my heart almost gave way. Ya she sucks! And yet she freaking rock!

She got me a super cute cupcake along with an ice cream cake! Now that i think back, when she followed me back up to my house, i should have strangled her for 5 minutes :X Thankyou girl!

The cupcake with a cute lil heart! The cake is nice, but the cream tasted a little weird.

Fine, my lousy photography skills may make this cake look awful, but i swear to god its really nice!! I was smiling all the way while eating this. Oreo on the top, chocolate icecream and, i have no idea wads the white layer below. I should ask her the name of this, i have no idea wads this called.


Island Creamery frozen desserts da bao packet! And its blueeeeeeeee !

Lastly, thankyou so much again, i really appreciate your nonsense! Haha!!! Love ya!

Kit Kat Limited Edition

My classmates got me a Limited Edition Kit Kat for my Birthday surprise along with a cake and card! I really deeply appreciate it, and am freaking happy when i saw the word "kit kat" when i peeked into the plastic bag! Hell do i love Kit Kat, a wonderful chocolate!

The envelope, card, limited edition Kit Kat and some straw hearts they found at macs -.-

And this is how the Kit Kat works!!! Cool hor!

I realised when i recieved the present, it was in a The Cocoa Tree plastic bag and i saw the outlet at Vivo! My friend also did tell me that the Chocolate was from there too, so i went to check it out. It was selling $13+, and a friend told me that my classmates would probably bought mine at a higher price since they got it from e-bay :( Oh man.

Super thanks guys!