Yes, I did get a copy of Vista Beta 1 in my hands. And I did install it on my new desktop. Please don't be astonished by the words "new desktop".. It's just a minimal upgrade. As I finish putting everything together, I'll show some pix of the tower and reveal its specifications. Meanwhile, the topic should be: how well is Vista running? Well, it runs pretty well. In fact, quite fast for a beta 1 os. Whistler Beta 1 was sluggish and ragged 5 yrs ago..
Though, there are many things that need to be improved. The usability of merging the xp-popup-all programs-style into the recently-used-programs-list is doubtful. Virtual folders baffle most users, who have became so used to xp's my ... folders. Anyway, it's still a nice resort to journey into when I get bored with xp. Regurgiate (v) - vomit, throw out.
July 30, 2005 Acrophobia
Well, I am acrophobic, in case you don't know. My legs were almost shaking when kevin took the above pix yesterday at LP.
After 2 weeks, I've finally finished reading Never Cry Wolf. It's not that bad a book afterall. Actually, I might be saying this because I'm done with it. But anyway, it's time for another book. There are just so many books I want to read before I leave. So, goodnight and happy reading. Vicarious (adj) - indirect (relates to vicar - the Pope is a vicar of God in christian's eyes).
July 29, 2005
After almost 7 hrs of sleep last night, I still felt tired and inactive in the morning. Perhaps sometimes two or three hrs of deep sleep are better than 7 hrs of normal sleep.
Anyway, today I collected my first ever salary. It's already a really small amount, but as I couldn't contain my usual spending habits, I've used 10% of the salary already. Oh well.. Baleful (adj) - sinister, spiteful.
July 27-28, 2005 Work = Play?!
Wow. These two days of work made me realize that work can actually be fun. Well, under certain circumstances, of course. Firstly, we were really just preparing a simple show. Secondly, I had the accompany of Veronica and Stephanie. I guess it was the latter that made this trip so fun and enjoyable. So, let's have a brief recount, shall we?
On Wednesday morning, we first met in Kln kcr station at 8:45. We then traveled to Sheungshui to meet some guests, then went to Sz directly. Arriving at the factory around 11, we quickly worked on our materials.. After a decent lunch at the restaurant, we had an hr of meeting with the four girls. As soon as the meeting ended, we, failing to resist the temptations of the internet, "hea"ed for more than two hrs..browsing xangas, playing music, downloading videos..etc. At 5:45, we decided to stop and, panicking since we would have our first rehearsal in 15 mins, dined and ate white rice + soup. During the rehearsal, we played 動作媒.. In some cosmic bizarreness, I was out in the mid-rounds. Fish, the-girl-who-has-a-Japanese-accent, won the game. Anyway the rehearsal lasted much longer than we originally thought, and by the time we were done, it was already 8:30. When the three of us were dragging our limps, moving slowly towards the office for nourishment, we met Ronald, who immediately invited us to his team-building training. After 15 mins of watching, we were liberated, driven to a restaurant outside for proper dinner. Veronica was finally able to eat her beloved "steamed water eggs" there. We got back to our apartment around 10:30, and commenced our night activities then. To be specific, there were two stages in the night activities. First stage was when the grown-ups were around; second stage was when the grown-ups went to bed, which was about 1. After 1, we freed ourselves from inhibition and even had pillow fights.. I was also forced to play truth or truth.. Oh well, we began to grow really sleepy around 3, so spontaneously, we fell asleep. I can't recall much since I was also asleep, but I know that I woke up around 4 and turned off my notebook. The next time I woke up, the clock in the living room showed 7:05. I found that the girls were no longer sleeping on the carpets..they were gone! I also found a blanket covering me (which, as I later found out, was put on by Stephanie). So, having no other choice, I decided to return to my room. As I went in, I saw my dad getting up from his bed..it was an awkward moment. I remember distinctively that he said, "It's your turn to sleep now.."
I jumped onto my bed and slept for at least two hrs. Waking up at 10, I took a shower, cleaned up the coffee table outside, and started reading. (I was really reading) Around 11, Veron knocked on my door. The three of us then had biscuits for breakfast, watched some tv, and prepared our final printouts until 12:45. At 12:45, we had our second rehearsal at the theatre. It went quite smoothly, and it was evident that the girls spent some time the previous night reading over the drama script. Unfortunately the weather was so hot that we couldn't bear being outside, so after another decent lunch at the restaurant, we rushed back to our apartment, and "hea"ed for an hr. At three, we went down again to print our printouts and get our noticeboard. Within 20 mins we were back on our apartment.. This time we watched "Romeo + Juliet". At 5:45 we went down for our final rehearsal. Everyone seemed ready then. We started the show at 6:30. Now a problem emerges - we had zero preparation for the mc part! Fortunately, since we're all so skilled, we breezed through it. We also handed in two awards: most improved and biggest potential. The show officially ended at 7:30, and we went back to our apartment to pack. Had dinner in a nearby hotel, and left for hk. That ends our fascinating two-day trip.
They say that I'll regret..will I?
July 26, 2005
Almost my whole day was occupied by Steph, Veron and Tiff..well, at FW's PC. It was a real boring afternoon - an afternoon of thinking, typing, brainstorming, drinking and seeing. What did we see? We saw and recognized two 2005 Miss HKs, some friends of mine and theirs, and a celebrity who I don't know. Oh btw, the new marshmallow mocha thing tastes quite bad..not recommended. Perhaps it's sometimes good to stick to old things?
So, we're going to sz tmr morning. See you on thursday night. Labefaction (n) - downfall.
July 25, 2005
Possibly the last day at office today. Finished up all the 1901 files. Just need to finished the english event project now. What is it? Well, we're planning to hold an activity, aimed at the data-entry workers in sz, that arouses their interest in english. We'll see how it goes. Entice (v) - temp, lure.
July 24, 2005 Windows Vista
The next generation of Windows has finally gotten a proper name - Windows Vista. Coming 2006.
My brother is now officially away for 8 days. To where? Mongolia. I'm sure that he'll have alot of fun there.. Didn't do much today, just played some tennis with dad in the afternoon. Back to work tmr. Preposterous (adj) - irrational (before and after).
P.S. No, I am not affiliated with Microsoft in any way...
July 23, 2005
When someone asks me if I'm free at xx:xx, I try to accomodate their time the best I can. Today was a day that I couldn't do so. Meeting with Kevin was pushed from 2 to 5, 5 to 5:30, 5:30 to 6 etc.. But nonetheless, he forgave me. So, what did we do? Well, he continued his quest for a set of decent speakers. We first stopped by at mk computer center, but left soon for golden since there weren't many choices. We then decided to have dinner at g.sushi before heading there. Anyway, in the end, he did accomplish his quest. And thx to him, I didn't have to spend the whole day with aunties and uncles. Ostentatious (adj) - garish, pompous.
July 22, 2005 Burden..or motivation?
"Come to the edge, he said
We are afraid, they said
Come to the edge, he said
They came to the edge
He pushed them and they flew"
- by Guilliame Apollinaire
You know, so many things happened today and it's like I'm slapped in the face by reality. I really want to type a bunch of I don't knows as today's daily. But of course, I care about my readers.. I just want to express my baffled emotions.
So yeah, I was in sz from 11 - 4.30 today. Helped preparing an english fun fair thing for the workers. I honestly think that we're spending way too much time and effort for this 2-hr event. Well, perception creates reality.. I must make myself think otherwise.
Then at night we Tafties had a new-student welcomnig dinner at Aberdeen Marina's Club. It's quite overwhelming in a sense.. But well, I think I did feel much more comfortable compared to that dinner two yrs ago. Propinquity (n) - resemblance.
July 21, 2005 Book fair
Went to the annual bookfair today with Martin, Michelle, Thomas and Kevin. Just like last yr, we glimspe through most of the small stalls and bought a few books in bigger ones. But as I expect, the best part of the trip happened in the later of the day..
Anyway, I'm really going to sz tmr morning. So, bye. Churlish (adj) - brutish, rude.
July 20, 2005 Gloomy
When was the last time you saw a movie that makes you commiserate on the characters? Well, I had that feeling today, after watching Romeo + Juliet. I just can't stand the tragic ending.. The last time I felt so pitiful was during the vain telephone-ringings between Belle and Vincent in T.i.t.s.
So it's finally rains. Don't you know that I like rain? Impervious (adj) - impenetrable.
Weekly Recap II
(Highlight the corresponding spaces for answers)
Inhibition (n) - restraint, holding back. Embezzle (v) - defraud, cheat. Telegenic (adj) - looks attractive on television. Verisimilitude (n) - that which appears to be true. Expatiate (v) - describe in full. Urbane (adj) - courteous. Enjoin (v) - direct, order. Obfuscation (n) - confusion, obscurity.
July 19, 2005 Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini
It seems that these days I like to play pop songs here. How's that for a change? And plus, I suddenly don't like Faye that much today..
So, today I stayed in hk and worked at the office. In the next two days, I should have verified all the french census data. Don't deride me, I actually feel quite accomplished to be able to finish this project.. Inhibition (n) - restraint, holding back.
July 18, 2005 Update on 19th, 10:30am Visiting my dad's factory tmr. Staying one night. See you on wednesday. One of our teammates got a fever.. Embezzle (v) - defraud, cheat.
July 17, 2005
I start to feel my summer creeping away from me..
Must stop depraving. Telegenic (adj) - looks attractive on television.
More.. My site actually looked like this a year ago:
Didn't change much, did it?
July 16, 2005 The ideal before-bed book..
Quite unexpectedly, I received my two Never Cry Wolf from amazon yesterday. It's estimated to be delivered on 26th. But this means that I have to start reading it, which I am unable to. Why? It's first two pages are basically warnings to readers not to read it. Read the first page here.
Meanwhile I played tennis with jeffrey this afternoon, all the way at hang hau.. It was fine, really, just fine. I guess I enjoyed the shower most in this trip.. Had dinner in tst with family afterwards. Quite a relaxing day (no work) afterall. Verisimilitude (n) - that which appears to be true.
July 13, 2005 Faye - 暗湧
Tired today. Goodnite. Expatiate (v) - describe in full.
July 12, 2005
Got up a bit earlier so that I can finish work sooner, but my mission failed because of the long queue for minibus. So today I continued verifying 1901 Canadian Census data. At my rate, I'd be able to verifier all 10xx images in 12 days. We'll see. Urbane (adj) - courteous.
July 11, 2005
So that's how it feels - staring at the monitor for 3 hrs continuously, eyes still, fingers barely stroking the keys. Thank God there is a lunch break (an invigorating one today). Will it all be like this? Or does it only happen on the first day of work?
My camera's back! (...) Enjoin (v) - direct, order.
P.S. I thought thomas would still be sleeping at that time..July 10, 2005 Facelift: Capricious Clouds
As you can see, I modeled another facelift today. I know the column doesn't look good.. I'll remake it when I have inspiration.
Today was yet another day I spent reorganizing my desk in vain. It's just difficult. And I don't think I can really finish this reorganization until I get a decent drawer under the desk. We'll see. Oh, enjoy a weekly recap of words. Obfuscation (n) - confusion, obscurity.
Weekly Recap I
(Highlight the corresponding spaces for answers)
July 9, 2005
Spent the whole afternoon in Ikea shopping for things to organize my desk. Unfortunately all I got was a pencil holder, some cup pads, and a nylon cd box. Perhaps my expectations were too high.. I shall flip through its catalogue and see if I need anything else or revisit something I saw today. I'm a firm believer that an astute consumer should revisit a product three times before buying it. Anyway..
I can't believe that Chiling has broken 6 ribs.. Why does this kind of thing happen to the perfect woman? Gainsay (v) - deny, dispute.
July 8, 2005 The Alchemist
This book, The Alchemist, took me only abit more than one day to read it. All I can say is that, it's a book that inspires. Highly recommended. Inspissate (v) - thicken.
July 7, 2005
So, today, after some form of a perpetual postponement, I finally had a briefing for my job. If nothings in its way, it should commence next week. But that's not really what you want to know, is it? You want to know what I do.. Alrite, although my job here is not to satisfy your wants, I'm going to explain it anyway.
In short, I'm a data verifier. Read on for a more detailed explanation.
Data Verifier? Governments and private companies around the world hold valuable handwritten records from the past - census data, birth certificates, migration records etc. Part of all these data relate to one major theme: family history. People nowadays have the tendency of tracking down their past. They want to know more about their ancestors, where they were from, where they lived, when they migrated etc. They want their own genealogy. Through data entry - transcribing handwritten records into electronic data - people can do so through a computer instead of flipping through endless volumes of records. This "entrying" process requires a large labor force, and during the process, mistakes are inevitably made. Mistakes as silly as "Mgodie" instead of "Myolie" can be made. That's where I come in. I verify the data. I'm not the only one, of course (thank god). There're many other data verifiers verifying the data. I'm more or less verifying a small section - specifically, a section that involves abit of French.
So, if the program comes by monday, then my work will start, and my eyes shall be fixed to a 13.3" screen for 6 hrs a day. They'll be fine..with some help from c3 and blueberry extract. Teeter (v) - move unsteadily.
July 6, 2005 BT
Hopelessness should be today's word. Why? Because I finally confirmed that, within the aggregate land of HK, our summer reading book Never Cry Wolf is non-existent. How could the summer reading committee select such an outdated book? I'm genuinely disappointed. Thats a great example of BT..
Am I over-reacting? I don't think so. It's my last summer reading book, and I expect something better. Perhaps I sound all angry and cynical and domineering, but.. Argh, I need some sleep. Pejorative (adj) - depreciatory, scornful.
July 5, 2005 Puerile (adj) - childish, juvenile.
July 4, 2005
The weather has indeed turned considerably well these two days. I wanted to snap some shots of the clear sky, only to realize that my camera is not in its place..
Anyway, I've begun to play tennis again. How can I not? I mean, after all, tennis is and will remain as the best sport I'll ever know how to play. I need to fan this precious fire and not let it die out. Prevaricate (v) - intentionally mislead.
July 3, 2005
Don't worry, I'm still here; so is word of the day.. Just come back for more content tmr night. Diaphanous (adj) - almost transparent.
July 1, 2005 July starts! "A ship in a harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for."
Watched War of the Worlds with Wilson. It was a 2-hr movie full of consternating scenes and augmenting intensity. Our conclusion was that the film is not worth watching.
I then headed to mk and got a new pair of tennis shoes. Well, tennis should be resumed soon. At least I hope so.
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