PsyBlog

Via Lifehacker, I found a blog that made me read it for the past 2 hours (which is an amazing feat for me considering reading is not particularly my passion).

Introducing PsyBlog, a website of psychological sciences with modern experiments and research. Although focused on the contemporary, the blog also covers topics that has been significant to the field of psychology. It is great like this as it acts as reminders to what we have studied so far and if there are any updates or changes to the theories.

One important factor that I like about the blog is that it did not come with many technical terms and jargon. Even if there is, they will be links or simple explanations to made the articles comprehensible. It is a easy-to-read blog using simple grammar and is very suitable for people without a psychology background.

Also, you can follow the blogger, Jeremy Dean on twitter for the updates.

Picking Up the Pieces

There are many things in between the current and last post that had happened. The typical ups and downs of life, mostly down though.

 There were frustrating periods, where I can't find the enthusiasm and discipline to write a single post. It was a complicated woven web, that all I wish to have was an easy life. Monotonous, metronome-like and most important of all, simple.

 Part of life is to get through the challenging times. I considered this period one of the lowest point as far as my serving memory goes. A large chunk of it was robbed. Literally. It takes lots of time, energy and money to pick up the pieces again. At least I was able to go through the routines of daily life without much hindrance. I credit that I have learned and applying it on a daily basis. It helped and I am glad that depression did not take its toll.

 Now that I have a wee space for a breather, I can do some reflection of what has happened and be able to be thankful that things did not break me as feared. Perhaps I have masked it well, but at times and in solitude, thoughts and imagination creeps up and stresses life out. I hope things are going to a brighter side by now and I have no reason to believe the contrary.

 My reminder to self though: The only easy day was yesterday.

Half Penangnite - Jessie O

So I guess most of us had heard about the best question posted in a debate. In case, you haven't, here you go (with subtitles for those who don't understand mandarin or simply can't here what she was shouting about due to the noise pollution that she was making):

So there you go. Half Penangnite (because mom-in-law from there), lives in Selayang (but meanwhile knows all the shit that is happening in Penang after 10.30pm) , joined Malaysian C*** Association (self-explanatory).

And she is famous now on the social media, mind you. Best ever would be my dear friend's post on her webpage:

So I am pretty sure who you would vote for at the next GE ain't it? The rakyat's fighter or the mafia group who insist that illegal parking after 10.30pm is nothing wrong ft. a pornstar and a w****. Not difficult maa right?

Left & Right

Check out the Mercedes Benz ads. Now these...are...cool.

Via The Ads of the World

Although it is not entirely true, these just made my day everytime I stare at the mesmerizing details and soothing flows. In fact, one of them is sitting beautifully on my screen now.

And it definitely make me want to rediscover painting again.

Playbook

Testing out posting on the newest gadget acquired here. Apparently, it is just nice.

Oh, how rude of me. Here, introducing the Blackberry Playbook.

So as the story goes, this guy originated from the recent BB Dev Con. Somebody got it for free and realise that it is not much of his taste or usefulness, decided to sell it for RM800. Deal or No Deal? Deal lar of course.

As it is a developer's unit, mine came with a security swipe done and there is just one application available: Browser. After numerous painstaking forum-reading and tweaking, I finally got the developer version of the QNX OS installed. The beta 2.0 version comes with the option of developer mode, which enables you to tweak and modify further. And...you can download Android Apps. Yes, Android! I skimmed through the procedures and decided that it needs my hidden geek talent somewhere and ample of time to do this. More to come on this if I am successful.

One of the features that impresses me most is the browser. it is fast, slick and it operates just like how you would expect normal PC browsers do. Yes, they do have a Facebook for Playbook and 3rd Party Twitter apps, but nothings beat browsing it throught the browser. Videos (flash is supported, huge deal for me), links, pictures are all very eaily accessed. More apps are definitely in demand. Or they could be the ending of RIM, as this grimly prediction foresees.

The touch is great, a far-fetch from the initial Storm phones. Interactive and smooth. The playbook goes by with the most minimalist of design, with only the tiny power button and the previous, play/pause, next set of buttons. Everything else is interative within the 7-inch screen.

And the OS. Yes, it is amazingly simple and interactive. The swoosh and swipes provides easy navigation across the apps. And you can multitask. Well, most of the time that is. Avoid doing so while playing heavy games like NFS Undercover.

As there are more to discover, I shall leave it to this few first impressions for now. So far, it has never cease to impress me and hopefully there are more to come. Especially app developments.

Contact

Keeping in touch is not what I do best. Hence, lately efforts have been made.

A simple 10 minutes conversation on Windows Live is something to start with. I have seen some article about the ironic settings where with all the available social media apps we have today, we seldom keep in contact with people anymore. Yes, you might know what food they are eating or which restaurant's toilet they are using now, but there is no contact. In a way, it is just "stalking".

Personally, making contact is no easy task. Effort is needed, because of my anti-social nature. And so far, I found it rewarding to be able to get in touch once again with friends and relatives that I did not talk to in months or years. I am also taking the advantage of the transportation available and travel to places.

It is nice to be sociable once again. As we work (and depending on what field you are in), our friend circles become smaller and in the end we just stick to these few people. Network expansion goes stagnant. Not a good thing. Hence, in order to advance, taking steps back is needed, which is getting back to previous contacts.

So yea, that is the latest "discovery" of life. Till then.

Windows of Opportunity

I love sitting beside the window. If there is a preference, my desk or workstation will be next to it.

Like this window back in Liberty Living @ Liverpool.

Love the sound of rain drizzling and and tapping against the window. Love the breeze and occasionally strong wind. Sometimes it is just nice to sit by it and watch the scene outside. Relaxing moment ever.

I know the feeling of a room without windows. The previous office in PJ is one example. As my colleague like to say it, even if a T-Rex walks by, you won't know what happened. To me, it is just tragic. Thank goodness we are able to find a retail shop lot and move in.

It is nice that I got the reception desk again, which is by the glass door. Oddly, the weather always intrigued me.Rain or shine.

By chance, I have been blessed with a desk near a window/glass/visible to the outside world. Helps alot with the work efficiency.

Right. Random musings stopped here. Till then.