Throttle to the stop

As explained earlier, I have in my possession my latest toy, the HP iPAQ 6515. I know, I know..the last time I wrote in May, I said I didn't want to have anything to do with a smartphone anymore. But temptation to own one was too much too resist. "Resistance is Futile"..where have I heard that before? Well, to tell the truth, I didn't actually buy it. The phone was costed in into the project cost (all in 6 handphones - 3 for us and 3 for the government).

They asked me to choose. If it was a couple of months earlier I would have taken the either the XDAIIs or mini. The XDA was however a bit long in the tooth, having been around for some time and after reading the reports in mypdacafe about the units almost always have to do soft resets, I decided to wait. Luckily iPAQ came out with the 6515.

So far so good in using the 6515. Hey, the unit even come with its own GPS. The map for Klang Valley is quite accurate, even to the address where I live. Software wise, not many yet. You can load PPC softwares but be aware that they are made for the longer screens. 6515 has a shorter screen due to the keyboard. Install it here, you won't be able to see the bottom half.

Still have to adjust myself on using Windows Mobile as I've always been a die hard Palm user. Sorry Palm.

So..here are the pics for the 6515 :



The whole set..bought it as a package



A miscellaneous pix..my office desk

Yesterday's MotoGP was the funniest of them all. The usual suspects were all there.

1. Melandri kept on going wide in corners allowing other riders to pass him at the apexes. Lepas tu potong balik on the straights. Keep on repeating gazillion times times.Bangang betul la mamat nih!

2. Gibernau bagai nak rak lead the race with Rossi pushing him hard. A couple of laps Rossi went in front. Gibernau bengang kejar habis. Two corners before the flag.... Gibernau habis minyak. Hahahahahaha. Kelakar siuttttttt!!!!!

I hate hospitals. Always have. I get very restless* and would always try to cut my time there short. However I had to go to one and spent a night there.

Reason?

I knocked myself out playing futsal last night. Being the heroic goalkeeper as ever, I dove to the right trying to save the ball and wham! hit my head against the post.

When I came to the guys told me I had been unconscious for about 10 mins. Damn...my head throbs like crazy. They drove me to the nearest medical centre and I was warded for observation.

Went for a scan on the skull and brain. Found no injury. Phew!

Doc said I had a concussion and gave me some pills to reduce the headache. I also have a big lump at the back of my head. Benjol


Next week I'm playing again. Heh heh

* Shell, I posted my comment on your blog at 2 am from the hospital! Using my mobile lah.

p/s Tomorrow is the Czech MotoGP at Brno.

Work is getting more demanding with two of my projects on-line. I now alternate between feet dry (HQ in Shah Alam and partners' office in Technology Park) and feet wet (sites in Sg. Pahang and Tioman Island) frequently. Further I have to distinguish the engineering differences for both projects due to one being brown water while the other is blue water. Whatever it is, I'm getting my tan!!!!

Thank God summer is nearly over. I'm getting all my experts in by early September. Roll call :

Water pollutant specialists - Dr. Jan, Mette and Louise (Denmark)
Socio economists - Berlinda (Sabahan/Denmark) and Morten (Denmark)
Breakwater specialists - Boye and Bledsoe (Denmark/Norway)
Numerical modellers/mathematicians - Brego (Denmark), Prof. Theophanis (Greece), Dr. Mark, Egor, Geena and Riesse (Ukraine)
Armour Rock specialists - Dr. New and team (China)
Environmental management - Dr. Bala and team
Coral/Coastal Zone Management System specialists - Dr Affendi and Shah Jehan (Malaysia)
Advisors - WWF, MNS and various Enviromental NGOs
Local consultants - Ir. Khor and team (Malaysia)
Main Contractor - Dr. Shah, Ding, Toh, Phuah, Najif, Azam, See, Chong and Chow (Malaysia)
Project Manager/Coordinator/Balachi - ME!!!!

The Sg. Pahang deepening and construction of breakwater project will be the largest coastal project in Malaysia due to the complexity of the river (flood prone due to extreme sedimentation process and having a large rivermouth - 3 kms wide) . Upon expected completion in 2008, it will have the longest breakwater (using armour rock) ever built in South East Asia (3kms long). It will provide shelter for the local fishing community during the monsoon period and allow deep sea fishing trawlers to berth there.

For Tioman Island, we shall be rehabilitating the beach within Teluk Tekek (approximately 3 kms long). Those who have been here will know that Teluk Tekek is the gateway to the Island. Sand nourishment will take place along the beach while sea wall using armour rock will be built close to the Marine Park. Coral rejuvenation will be carried also to replace the dead corals within the site area. We shall also rehabilitate the polluted rivers flowing out towards the beach.

Upon completion in 2008, expect to have a wider beach, more corals, more economic activities for the locals and as usual, we can expect more people to come here.

We are also establishing a weather station by the beach behind one of the dive shops there which will also double up as our site office (one bungalow and two semi-ds). Once it is ready, I'll be based there on and off. Can go diving...heh heh.

Cintailah Sungai dan Persisiran Pantai Kita.

I'm always the quiet one in the office. I hardly disturb people and just do my own work.

This time RI, the mangkuk hayun really made my day... she made me lose my temper. For the time in my working life I had a slanging match with someone (her). Basically it was about making a payment. Boss has agreed to pay immediately and she was in the meeting (it was told directly to her stupid face). Why does she suddenly wants to show off her stripes once outside the room? Cannot do like this, cannot do like that. What, she thinks it's her money? FUCK OFF!!! JUST DO AS YOU'RE BLOODY TOLD TO.

Tensiiioonnnnn!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes the conversations, get me down
Oh and sometimes you talk until my head spins around
You paid the price for your sanity
Now baby look at you, so much for your honesty.
There was a time and place not long ago
I was the property that you bought and sold
Just like the kid in the candy store
I gave you everything but
Still You asked for more
Remember, just remember,
remember Mama told you never trust a stranger
Cause now you're old enough to look
You want to see, what you can see
Don't look back until you're out of danger
Cause there's always someone wants some sympathy, oh yea
Yes there's always someone wants some sympathy
What do I say, it's all been said and done
Here I go again that drifter on the run
I don't know all the clever lines (is it true?)
Did I lose this time?
Remember, just remember,
remember Mama told you never trust a stranger
Cause now you're old enough to look
You want to see, what you can see
Don't look back until you're out of danger
Cause there's always someone wants some sympathy, oh yea
Yes there's always someone wants some sympathy

Michael Schenker Group (1981)

A couple of weeks back I received another tie as present for my birthday.

A couple of hours ago, I received a YM :

"Have you worn the tie I gave you? How come you never blogged about it?"

" Worn it once. Pretty busy. Will blog about it soon"

"I'm being a brat..blog about it NOW NOW NOW!!!!!! I pun nak glamer jugak"

Sheesshh...better blog now or I'll never hear the end of it.

So ladies & gentelmen (and Ms Brat), a pic of the beautiful tie.

Cantik kan??? Very Bluesy


p/s Ms Brat..loved the tie. Thanks. :-)

It's Friday and it's Futsal nite.

Be damned with the haze, I'm gonna enjoy my game.

Have a nice weekend people.

Only in Malaysia can you do this!!! Gwailoh somemore.

Driving Etiquette

1. Please do not give your signal and cut into my lane at the last minute.

2. Please do not tailgate me if I'm slow.

3. Please do not try to outrun me when I'm speeding.

4. Please do try to give the finger to me if I deny your wishes on the road.

5. Please do not tempt me at the traffic lights or on any parts of the road with your antics....

.....because I'm now driving a motherfucka of a vehicle...and not afraid to use it to bully you off them.

Thanks Boss!!!

The last time I visited my Atok (Grandmother) was in November for Hari Raya, that too with the Ex, before the big D. And she lives in PJ. Excuse me, what month is it now?

I have been avoiding people (mostly relatives) so that I don't need to announce my recently attained status. Heck, I even deliberately missed the last tahlil for my late grandfather by staying late in the office and asked my parents to cover for me, asking them to tell some wishy-washy story about my whereabouts.

School holidays is coming up and I have 3 wedding invitations to attend ( I hate weddings, especially now). 1 in KL (my cousin's - real SOB), 1 in Muar (relative - unknown) and 1 in JB (another cousin - hardly know her). I am forced to go as I have been designated as supir for these events. My parents have told me that under no further circumstances will they be covering for me. Time to break the news, they said.

I guess the time had come finally for me to come clean with my relatives (or whoever is willing to hear). Get it off my chest quickly (silent death) and the best part (on the lighter side) looking/gauging at their expressions when I say it (terkejut beruk? Maybe). At least this way I don't need to hear (and answer) anymore :

"Sherry tak nak balik Mesia for good ke?" or

"When is Sherry coming down again?" or

"Eh, Auntie nak ke sana la, can you give me Sherry's contact number, dia sure tau mana good place for shoppingkan?" or

"Anak makcik, si Melaun sekeluarga tu nak ke sana bercuti, boleh tak tumpang tinggal kat rumah Sherry tu?"

Man, my Atok would definitely be disappointed when I break the news to her. She loved her dearly.

Of all the idiots in the world, why do I get him to be my PD?

I had to bloody work my arse off over the weekend (tired from all the travelling) and now he tells me there's no need to rush in the progress claim. I had told him to settle for the submission of advance first. I told him everything would be ready within this week.

Bangang..orang cakap tak nak dengar. Dengar lagi cakap S.O. (Supervising Officer) tu. Kalau dia suruh makan taik, kau pun mesti makan punya. $*$&$$*(&*^^&*%^$%#%!

In fact, everything would be done by tomorrow, earlier than expected. My Performance and Advance Bonds together with my CAR & Public Liability Insurance. Why make life difficult, right?

Was at Pulau Tenggol, off Dungun last weekend.

28/7/05

Took the Air Asia flight at 7.15 am arriving Kuala Terengganu at 8.05 am. Then took a taxi to LKIM Jetty, Dungun which costs RM70. Boat was waitng for us there. Left jetty at 11 am and arrived at Tenggol Aqua Resort (TAR) around 12 pm. There are only 3 resorts within the bay, with TAR being the largest.



1st dive was at Turtle Point at 3.00 pm at depth of 20 m. Lots of Nudie Branches and feather dusters Saw a moray eel and also trigger fish (had to move away from its line of sight).

There being nothing to do at night, retired to bed by 9.30 pm (also tired la)

29/7/05

1st dive at Tanjung Tokong, about 30 mins from resort. Facing open sea close to an atoll full of bird shit. Negative dive (straight down from deck) due to high waves. Max depth went was 27 m. Plenty of underwater current at different levels. Used them to our advantage. Riding on the highways (the currents) was damn cool!!! Berlagak macam superman at one time..heheh.

Exit point was a disaster as it was full of jelly fishes. Got stung on the hands and also neck. Got plenty of love bites.

Remained on board for another hour where we travelled to Rajawali 1 (also facing open sea) for next dive at 11.40 am. Water was calmer by the time we went down. Max depth was 21 m. Here plenty to see. Saw a turtle, garoupas (besar besar gila) and the rest of the usual stuff. Plenty of crevices to play around. The funniest thing we saw was a 100 plus tin which looks like it has been fused to a coral. Tak boleh dislodge langsung.

3rd dive was at at 4.00 pmRajawali 2 (there is a proper name for it but since we were not buddy-buddy with the local instructor, we just called it by R2 la), a site close to R1, basically just around the corner just before the resort. Island not big lah.

Just a fun dive, exploring here and there at max depth of 17 m. Plenty of usual stuff, lots of coral and sea vegetation. Saw a baby lobster and a herd of bump heads. Nudie branches here are blue/purple in colour, unlike the other places where it is white/transparent. Dive time was 50 mins.

Wanted to do a shore night dive but low tide made us abort. Dont wanna step on and destroy the corals right? Viewed the underwater pictures that we took after dinner was asleep by 10 pm.


I see bloggers like to show their feet. So...these are mine. Heh heh


Can you see the gecko?

30/7/05

1st Dive at 9 am was a shore dive towards the wrecks in front of the resort. You can't miss them as two buoys are placed directly about them. White buoy for the 18 m depth wreck and black buoy for the 30 m wreck. (macam golf tee pulak)

Visibility was poor that we missed the shallower wreck but found the deeper wreck first. Bloody cold!!!! Saw a dead garoupa (pity) in the hull. Should have taken it out and carried it ashore for lunch..heh heh.

We then moved to shallower grounds and that was when we found the other wreck. It is bigger than the first one but we can't find any fishes in it. Total depth time was short at only 33 mins.

2nd dive was at 12 pm, close to Turtle Point again. Underwater current was strong that I lost my buddy Mike during descent. Following safety rules, I did an emergency ascend and found him on the surface. The dive was aborted except for the couple (Zahari and Nuraini - 40 plus husband and wife team, both are Divemasters also) who went on with their dives because didn't know what had happened to us. We waited about 40 mins for them to surface later.


My wetsuit..wearing my leathers are a lot more easier..sheesshh


The rest of my gear : BCD, mask, regulator, fins, booties and torchlight. All blue..so colour coordinatednya aku.

3rd and final dive at 4 pm was at Rajawali 2 again (the place had lots of things to explore). Depth was 16 m and we lasted 1 hour underwater. We fooled around.. dancing, dueling with our pointers, played tag, blowing bubbles etc. Gila fun. We found a big rock with a mini cave and that was when we saw the Emperor Angel Fish. Cantik woooohhh!!. Found also a pregnant Nudie Branch laying its eggs. The best was seeing a Spanish dancer. It sure can dance.

Our last day was a dry day for us. Getting our equipment to dry and packing for our trip home. We left Tenggol at 1.00 pm.


View of the resort from the stern of the boat


My GPS unit showing where we got stranded..nampak tak???


The low stern of the boat..easy for diving. See the angle of the stern?

Today (Sunday) was my last day on Pulau Tenggol (N40 48.554' , E1030 40.488'). We took the 1.00 pm boat to LKIM Dungun, expected trip duration 45 mins to 1 hour (depending on the waves). At (N40 49.435' , E1030 30.647'), about 12 kms left to reach Dungun the boat lost all its fuel due to a leak. We were stranded in the middle of the South China Sea.

We managed to contact Dungun and said they will be sending a boat to get us. The boat captain said there's no need to give the GPS coordinates as this is the fishermen's normal fishing route (we found out later it was faulty). It took them TWO bloody hours for them to find us, we had by then drifted about 5 kms up North (N40 52.005' , E1030 29.485'), away from the fishing route. The waves were about 0.4 to 0.75 m high and they send us a frigging glass bottom tourist boat for transfer in this kind of waves! Are they crazy???

Seeing that it can't be done, they boat left and we drifted again (forgot how long because I had fallen asleep by then) until we were assisted by a fishing boat which pulled us slowly (too slow). We were now moving down south, going against the waves. What a roller coaster ride!

We reached Dungun at 7.40 pm. What was supposed to be a maximum one hour ride for 30.2 kms took us 6 hours and 40 mins! We still had to drive down to Kuala Terengganu to catch our Air Asia flight at 9.20 pm. The people at the mainland had 5 hours to prepare to receive us and yet, the van that they gave us to use had no petrol. WTF????!!!! We wasted about 10 mins to refuel it. The driver drove like mad and we reached the airport with 5 mins to go.

"Sorry sir, we can't allow you to board the plane". SHHHHIIITTTTT!!!!!

Thank God MAS' flite was leaving at 9.35 pm. We managed to get the tickets (3 economy and 3 business - that's all that were left) for the six of us and arrived KLIA safely albeit hungry (no lunch and dinner), tired and sun burnt.

I cheated - I took sea-sickness pill before I boarded the boat.
The coordinates are from my GPS