Thursday, October 28, 2010

12 hours

Next year must be a very good year in getting married. Why? Because just within 12 hours, I received 2 red bombs. 1 expected, another very unexpected. I foresee there are more to come. Well basically I have attended a lot, and still attending, and going to attend a lot again, but somehow I think by end of next year, the volume will start decreasing.

Why again? Simple, cause my age is reaching the mid age soon. So it is not surprise that all my friends will finished this 'the most important' event in their life around this 2 years. Especially for women, if they same age with me, definitely going to pass (or passed) the most nourish period. Somemore, it is not good giving birth at this age.

For guy, well, lagi simple. Family pressures, stability, life, etc. Not surprise that they will get somebody to walk together until the end of life. Anyhow, expected or unexpected, still congrats to the new couples as after all, it is a good news!

Termites!

Bad news. The indon worker found termites parading the house when they remove the tiles from the wall. We are so panic as you know, termites are well known in destroying the house by chewing woods and eventually make the whole support hollow.

In view with that I have contacted few mainstream pest control company but the cost is sky high. Well, I dont mind paying the bill they have the quality and standard like Houston Pest Control. But looking at my budget now, I dont think I can afford the price.

In the contrary, neighbor keeps telling me that their roof top basically are gone within 10 years of residence there. This is troubling, as much as I want to save that cost for pest control, I think I still have no choice but to spend it. Please, any recommendation? My requirement is very simple, I just want the pest control to kill the termites, prevent general insects like ants, rats , lizard and the most important one - cockroaches!!

Best still, must warranty for 8-10 years. Please let me know if you know any provider with this kinda services??

Friday, October 22, 2010

Sick again

Human gets sick, recovered, active, tired, get sick again and continue. That's usual but what is unusual for me is, the cycle happens too fast. I fall in sick again - same symptoms (cough, sore throat, fever, and perhaps flu later) in less than 3 months. The last ill happened since 3 months ago and continued for 2 months, and I can only active for less than 1 month now it hits me again.

What happened?? It was like neverending and this is very first time I encountered such symptoms. Colleague suggested me for a detail screening but I still couldnt think of a reason why. There must be a root cause for this but I still dont know why.. Perhaps age is catching up? Or environment is getting worse? Or feng shui not good? Or bad luck? Or too stress??

Anyhow, time to really take a rest. As since the reno begins, I never really did...

Dell Vostro incident, continued...

After few days not hearing from Dell, I decided to give them a call asking what is going on. Partially it was because my sis kept pressuring me cause they dont have a PC at home and it is really inconvenient for the kids. You know, nowadays school work is all about typing and printing, no more handwriting.

Another agent picked up, Chinese guy. I just simply illustrate my situation and he captured my point immediately, like he already aware the case. Quickly he requested to put me on hold and check with the first Malay lady I spoke to. Efficiently, he reverted to me and informed that the case was escalated to the management. However, the outcome from the management is that they can only repair the set, and handover the case for their insurance company for the injury compensation.

Unlucky him, I blown up on this agent and requested to speak with their so call management who keeps hiding cowardly from this incident. Without neglect, he promised to own the case and get the supervisor to call me back. Which he did, as I received the supervisor's call in about half or one hour later.

The decision they have for me is another disappointment. the supervisor offered me 3 options -

First: They repair the set for free.
Second: They replace a brand new model with same value as the blown up set.
Third: They refund the PSU money to me.

If you are a human with logical thinking, which one will you pick? I pick no one, but insisted to refund for full set because at that time, I totally don't wanna see, don't wanna hear DELL! Why on earth I want your free thing when I can use the refunded money to get the other better brand I want? Obviously they didnt hear me and didnt get my point. All that supervisor can do is repeating the options, and tell me that's what DELL can do best.

I request for escalation, and you know what, the response from the supervisor was: that's the decision after the escalation to the management, complain department and their legal department. I must say, what an eff up decision! STUPID DUMB ARSE DELL MANAGEMENT!

Left me now choice, I bombarded the supervisor (no foul language of course) and he was speechless, and I returned conscious knowing he wasnt talking, henceforth cooled down and picked option 2. Come on, any human who can think will do the same. But I suggested instead of replace, I request cash voucher with the same value instead, and not expired in a week or month so I can use it later. Unfortunately, they can't do it again. What a VERY "established" company. Even apple can do that, but dell couldnt, no wonder they can't beat apple...

So last resort, I picked option 2, and told them I willing to invest more on better spec. Because from this incident, I learned that low cost = low quality. Lucky they are ok, partially I think they agree on my equation too. Better still, they still can earn my money (my sis). Likewise, no lost from our end too since I wanted to change that pc for better spec for long, and now they are giving for free, and I just pay for upgrade... Maybe I should sell the new system and get a macbook air 11" so I dont have to bear with DELL again...

Make Up Make up

Recently there are plenty of videos circulating in the Facebook teaching people to DIY. The topics are quite wide, basically covers everything you can imagine of, for example setup your own computer, troubleshoot your windows, cracking your iphone, but the most impressive one for me is the video that teaches make up.

It is so amazing to see the before and after, and always shocking to see how wonderful the cosmetic can help the hopeless women (or men). No wonder the proverb is so true - there are no ugly women, only the lazy one.

However, make up is not something easy to pick up if you know zero like me. But dont be upset, cause we are lucky enough to have Regency Beauty Institute. The campus of cosmetology school in Phoenix has many success story in developing the student from zero to expert. Consult them today and be the next pretty and wise women.

This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com or contact Regency Beauty Institute – 10217 North Metro Parkway West – Phoenix, AZ 85051

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Dell Vostro incident

Trust me, I love dell, just I like Air Asia - because it is cheap and friendly. I have dell as my laptop, dell as my sister laptop, dell as my pc, and dell for my sis pc. Basically like a dell house.

Until recently, my sis's dell pc exploded on me.

The story went back to few weeks ago, her couldnt turn on the pc and at her usual, she asked me to fix it. So I called up dell, give them the service tag id, and they identified me, and the model im using - Vostro 200, and quote me the Power Supply Unit (PSU in short) direct with DELL. Efficient I must said.

Most impressing, the part delivered in shorter amount of time I could expect. Happily remove the cover the first thing I got home, and assemble/replace the faulty part, plug in and BAM! Sparks (Or fire?? I couldnt remember as it is so bright!) flare out from the PSU where the cable is connected. I shouted and backed off, and my mom screamed (as the explosion was so loud) but wisely reminded me to turn on the switch. We lucky that nobody got injured, and nothing aside was burned.

But the story didnt ends here. It is disappointing when I call Dell to lodge the complain and request for judgement. First time, the Malay lady answered and collected some info like, did I switch to other voltage and is anyone there to witness the situation. Craps - the PSU they shipped has no switch, clearly their product info is limited. Secondly about the second question, well, the first impression I have is they want to know if I am telling lies. And the question was asked after she putted me on hold and checked with her management.

After the basic info check, she politely responded that Dell will do the refund for PSU, and reverted me with a reference number, and informed that she will send me an email as record while checking with her management to perform the investigation. As a consumer, I think this arrangement is satisfactory.

Somehow on the second day, the same Malay lady called back. This time, she is prepared, as if someone is listening and guiding from beside. She politely asked the same questions again, and request my confirmation. Again, as if she would want to record down my response. Then, she informed that Dell will send an engineer over and replace the part. Of course, as a human, being asked the same question twice, with the same person, I feel uneasy and so question her back. Where is the email she promised to send? Most importantly, where is the refund? That moment, I lost trust to Dell, and not confidence to their product. So I told the lady, I will not use the set anymore even though they repair it. I want them to compensate my lost. In view with my decision, the Malay lady request to collect the pc instead of fixing it, for investigation purpose. Of course I refuse, cause that I will loose all the evidence with no defense point.

Day 3. As the previous conversation is not a happy ending, Dell sent another agent to handle my case (I guess..). This round it's a Chinese lady. Same story, they insist to have engineer onsite to collect the machine for investigation. I told them they can investigate, but no collect. I was already very disappointed with their action, a glimpse of mind came through - why they kept trying to collect the part back?

Arranged in 3 days later after the call, the engineer finally came to my house with a brand new PSU unit and a motherboard. My face turned red, or even black. I asked the engineer, what are you going to do on the pc? He told me Dell instructed him to fix and replace the faulty part. OMG what is going on here? Am I not clear enough over the phone (or they are too persistent trying to cover this up so I could keep quiet?) I decided to call Dell, and the engineer is kind enough and helped me to do so, using my house phone. After a few briefing session, the engineer passed the phone to me and I talk to this lady, very well trained in handling difficult customer, and good in manners too. She helped me to follow up the case, and coordinated with the engineer to verify the part number, model, brand. Then told me that she will get the previous agent - Malay lady to process my request on compensation.

The engineer left without doing any real work, pity him wasted time for a visit and story temporary ends here. But from the above, I captured few points. Dell is not stupid, why on earth they keep requesting the replacement when I keep telling them I don't want to, and I wont use it anymore even they fix it - as I am not sure when it will blow up on me again. Secondly, why the Malay lady promised to refund and email me the case, but end up turning the promise, and acted as if she is under control?

Anyhow, as for my conclusion, I will not buy Dell anymore. For I who are damn afraid with their great quality product and professional service!

< 3 Hours

Following my earlier post about sleeping 3.5 hours, I have just beaten my own record again. I slept < 3hours last Sunday and actively run up and down for the reno stuff. At least the effort paid off and we are very productive in finalizing tiles and toiletries. Now the things left are cabinet, lighting, cabling, piping, and some accessories.

This reno thing is really draining me and luckily, my current role enable me flexibility to run around and arrange thing remotely. On top of that, there are many things on hands like tour work, computer work, blogging for money, and of course, sleeping also. I seriously hope there will be no extra thing coming in as i really no hands to handle them now.

I think no matter how good the time management is also can be exhausted.

Over Debts!

My credit card bill is achieving the highest state in my 10 years life on debt. It is breaking 5 figure soon solely on my personal expense for this month. While it is heart aching but let's face the fact, as it is still mid of the month, the debt will continue rising up til end of the month!

I think I will continue to hold this never ending debt til the day I am 6 ft under and still repaying them, if I dont do something now. Of course, knowing this, I have started a side business as TW tour agent and organize the tour. But unfortunately that didnt bring me much fortune as yet, or to be exact, barely survive. But if I could use that money I earn from there and multiply it, that will be totally different story.

Question now is, what to buy or invest? I guess the only answer now is non other than investing in gold bullion!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Atheros PCI Wifi Card Driver

It's the pain in the ass every time I wanna install this driver in xp. It just couldnt activate unless the exact right steps and right driver. I forgot how did I manage to install it the last time but this round, I crawl every area also cant find the exact match.

Well I manage to identify the name, but just couldnt find the model. Tried generic driver but fail. But when I put in the vista or 7, it works. Even in hackintosh, it works with the previous copy of kext file. Anyhow I am totally lost now and the best is when I wanna restore 7, it failed on me. God damn it, it seems like bad luck has it ways to make you feel upset when it wants you to... Sigh what happen?

2011 Budget Report

Came across the broadcast when I was commuting home from workplace. It makes me almost vomit blood and furiously bang all the machan if I didnt switch to other channel to smoothen my anger. Basically this whole report is stupid and creating opportunity for them to suck our blood sweat money.

All the items cost million, I was like what the eff you guys doing with our money? Why dont you just transfer it into their account since online banking is so freaking easy nowadays? It just make no effing different anyway. Really upsetting when this broadcast was out, and in fact I think all of us felt the same.

I dont know why am I still staying here. Friends are moving out, and some just barely survive yet still no return due to this lovely arrangement. I think one day they just gonna infest and die in one land since they love themselves so effing much. Somemore day2 also mention wanna preserve their stupid heritage, whatabout us then? Our is not heritage? Eff them all.

My Current Finance Report

Recently I really spend a lot. On top of the usual commitments and the monthly installment, I am forking out money for the renovation. That's not a big problem, cause what worries me the most are the subsequent things that come along with the reno like: Material, electrical appliances, rebuild cabling, piping, pest control etc etc which going to cost a huge chunk of money.

Moreover, I need to spend on the unnecessary yet very costly equipment like iphone 4, glasses, and bags etc. Which basically means my income simply cant cover all these spending. Although I have some casual investment fund on hands but again, the debt hole is just too huge to fill. Thus, I guess it is time to buy gold coins instead of spending on the materialistic world. At least this could bring me fortune which I could use it for more meaningful matters. I hope. haha..

Freaking Tired

Yes I had to put that title. I had red bull twice and chicken essence once in 3 weeks. So literally I am depending on supplementary every week now, in fact for the pass 30 years it never happened before.

I felt like going back to 4-5 years ago working with that bi-ache but this round, I am more mature in handling the matters and of course, they are more difficult to dealt with. Anyhow, it is not a simple task and the plan will determine the success for next 20 or 50 years. (hopefully... not).

Now although the process is very clear but the progress of getting it done is tedious and the best is, many different stupid ideas came in disrupting the plan and most importantly, more explanation and coordination. Cant I just do whatevereffing thing i wanted? Oh eff, I am effing tired..

Shitty Collaboration

It is seriously upsetting working with them. Perhaps other will have the same problem when they work together. Or maybe, human just couldnt work with each other for too long or else everything will simply turn from sweetness to bitterness.

Well in fact the root cause was due to a very tiny matter but since everybody is so concern on this, thus the decision making always favorable to oneself instead of another. I guess this is just the common point where people start having issue, but depends on the other ends and see how they react towards the situation. In out case, it is obviously the worse and I always stuck in the middle trying to grease each other. Well no more, I give up for this round. Instead, I am happier if I can do all the thing by myself instead of relying on them.

And I suppose I have decided this earlier until that day...

Trsuted Fund

Sigh, I guess I am just not the type of person who is fortunate enough in making money through investment. Recently the trusted fund I have invested few years ago just 'achieve' a new low again. It was once rising high at the beginning but still the interest just enough to cover the very expensive processing fees. Therefore (and maybe) due to my greediness, I have waited slightly longer and **bang**! I hit the wall and the market just like riding the roller coaster, except it keeps falling and never rise anymore.

I thought perhaps it is just my problem but somehow and strange enough as it seems like most of my other friends also not making money from the trust fund. But on another hand, it seems like investing in gold coins seems to having great return. Compare with the trusted fund, the plus point of investing in gold coins is much stable and safe! I guess this is just the exact thing I needed now. Perhaps I should sell the share in trusted fund and pour all into this!!

Monday, October 4, 2010

3.5 Hours

What can you do in 3.5 hours? Some can fly to another destination with totally different faces and places. Some can finish the work that been stuck in few weeks. Some can deliver a baby, or any other possible things. But what about sleep? I know some people they can survive with < 4 hours sleep daily. But seriously, I can't.

I was once told I am like the battery, where I need to recharge for 12 hours in order to stay awake for another 12 hours. And believe me, sleeping for 12 hours is not an unusual case for me. Basically it happens every week when I dont have to work. Of course, I hope this habit will stay continue until I old, as I know many couldnt sleep well when age is catching up!

Any how, back into the story, I actually just slept for 3.5 hours 2 days ago, and subsequently stay awake for 14 hours. It is such a great achievement for me and I feel so long for the whole day. Best of all, my mind was like swinging but surprisingly I achieved many productive tasks. I guess i am very good in time management. Hahaa..

Yokoso Japan

Finally I am realizing my dream, the 日游记. Yeah it happened on 23/Sept 11am, where AA finally first launched their route to my dream destination - NIHON. I wouldnt say I put many efforts but at least it is the common topic CP and I always chat about, and we did some planning few days in advance before we decided to swipe the card online.

As a result, I am going for 8days due to the unavailability of the going date. So I extend one more day instead of shorten it. Anyhow I dont think it would be enough for me as initially I plan to visit 1 month but consider my financial ability, 8 days is very luxury for me already.

Well, since the ticket is secured, all I need to focus now is how to make more money to spend in the trip!!!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Baja Real Estate

When we talk about Baja, we often picture it with some of Mexico's most beautiful beaches, dramatic sea and astounding landscapes. Baja actually situated at California peninsula in northwestern Mexico. The peninsula is connected to the mainland of Mexico on the east by a small northern band of land crossing the Colorado River in the Mexican state of Sonora.

Due to the the waters of Baja California are home to several species of great whales,
many hobbies activist spend their holiday in here for whale watching to witness the largest population of Gray Whales breeds in the lagoons.

On top of that the place is also famous with scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. As it is such a high potential in this land, investors who are keen are welcome to contact the baja real estate. Be it investment or for own, it will be sure a life-worthy decision.