Just a very quick post today to let you know that I'll be taking a brief hiatus from posting. If you check this blog via RSS, then no worries. However, if you are checking this blog manually, then you might wanna find something else to read for a week or two until normal service resumes.
Before I go, I wanted to leave you with the pleasant theme of death as another boyhood hero of mine passes on. For me, Patrick Swayze will always be remembered for his roles in Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Although I liked some of the other films he starred in, none of them compared to these classics (can you believe he was already 35 years old in Dirty Dancing!).
I loved these films as a kid. Although I haven't seen any of his recent stuff, I can't help but feel a pang of regret that he is gone.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Typhoon Koppu
For the benefit of readers outside HK, we are currently in the middle of a typhoon number 8 signal. Typhoon Koppu hit HK earlier today and the number 8 signal was hoisted at around 6pm.
Which got me interested about typhoons in HK over the years. After jumping on google, I managed to find this site which has some interesting facts about the deadliest and the most powerful typhoon recorded in HK. Interestingly, the two aren't the same.
Apparently, the deadliest typhoon was in 1937 when approximately 11,000 people died. However, the most powerful was in 1962 when, with the benefit of forewarning, "only" 127 fatalities were recorded. Which is impressive in that the number of deaths fell by such a large amount when people had sufficient warning to prepare for the coming storm.
Probably a good thing then that our current technology means that we can predict coming typhoons with relative accuracy.
Which got me interested about typhoons in HK over the years. After jumping on google, I managed to find this site which has some interesting facts about the deadliest and the most powerful typhoon recorded in HK. Interestingly, the two aren't the same.
Apparently, the deadliest typhoon was in 1937 when approximately 11,000 people died. However, the most powerful was in 1962 when, with the benefit of forewarning, "only" 127 fatalities were recorded. Which is impressive in that the number of deaths fell by such a large amount when people had sufficient warning to prepare for the coming storm.
Probably a good thing then that our current technology means that we can predict coming typhoons with relative accuracy.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Buy more, save more!!
There's an interesting pschological effect which occurs whenever people see discounts. In essence, common sense takes an extended holiday while the demon of impulse rears its ugly head. Its a discussion which I've had with the missus on more than one occasion. Basically, she passes by a store, sees a discount sale on and immediately starts proclaiming "Honey, the more I buy, the more I save!!"
Yeah...
I always used to believe that I was better than that. That I was above such petty and tawdry marketing. And then I read this article which made me remember my time in London.
The article basically talks about the writers efforts to minimise his spending on video games. He did this by no longer buying games at full price and instead, would only purchase a game if it was on budget. Unfortunately, the plan backfired as he ended up buying a lot of games on budget even though he didn't have time to play them. The fear was that the budget game would no longer be available by the time he got around to it.
Which is almost identical to my own experience when I was in London. You see, unlike HK, London has a very vibrant video game retail market. The end result is that lots of games are offered for sale at discount prices (we're talking GBP5 or GBP10 here). And just like the author in the above article, I ended up buying a lot of old games and only playing them superficially before moving onto the next game. Hey, at GBP5 or GBP10 a pop, it really wasn't a big deal.
Since my return to HK and more expensive games, I find that my gaming habits have changed considerably. Due to the more expensive nature of games, and the introduction of achievements on the Xbox 360, I find that I play the games I buy a lot more and probably get even more value for money out of it as a result.
Despite this, the old desire to get a bargain is still there. I often find myself trawling the second hand games bins to keep an eye out for any good bargains. I also check Steam every weekend to see what the big weekend sale is. This phenomenon isn't limited to myself either. Sales figures for games sold on Steam are very often dominated by games which are on sale at the weekend. Pretty impressive when you consider that those games are being sold at a huge discount in many cases.
Ultimately, despite all my snide comments to the missus about her ability to be suckered by a sale, I'm just as bad as she is.
PS to the missus - if you are reading this, I just wanna say that this is the closest you will get to an apology for all the snide comments from yours truly.
:)
Yeah...
I always used to believe that I was better than that. That I was above such petty and tawdry marketing. And then I read this article which made me remember my time in London.
The article basically talks about the writers efforts to minimise his spending on video games. He did this by no longer buying games at full price and instead, would only purchase a game if it was on budget. Unfortunately, the plan backfired as he ended up buying a lot of games on budget even though he didn't have time to play them. The fear was that the budget game would no longer be available by the time he got around to it.
Which is almost identical to my own experience when I was in London. You see, unlike HK, London has a very vibrant video game retail market. The end result is that lots of games are offered for sale at discount prices (we're talking GBP5 or GBP10 here). And just like the author in the above article, I ended up buying a lot of old games and only playing them superficially before moving onto the next game. Hey, at GBP5 or GBP10 a pop, it really wasn't a big deal.
Since my return to HK and more expensive games, I find that my gaming habits have changed considerably. Due to the more expensive nature of games, and the introduction of achievements on the Xbox 360, I find that I play the games I buy a lot more and probably get even more value for money out of it as a result.
Despite this, the old desire to get a bargain is still there. I often find myself trawling the second hand games bins to keep an eye out for any good bargains. I also check Steam every weekend to see what the big weekend sale is. This phenomenon isn't limited to myself either. Sales figures for games sold on Steam are very often dominated by games which are on sale at the weekend. Pretty impressive when you consider that those games are being sold at a huge discount in many cases.
Ultimately, despite all my snide comments to the missus about her ability to be suckered by a sale, I'm just as bad as she is.
PS to the missus - if you are reading this, I just wanna say that this is the closest you will get to an apology for all the snide comments from yours truly.
:)
Monday, September 7, 2009
7th Wedding Anniversary
So, if you've been paying attention, you would know that my 7th wedding anniversary was last week. That's right, folks - the Meister has been enslaved for 7 years!
To celebrate this joyous occasion, I created another video for your amusement.
As with before, some notes
1) Again, if you listened to the video, my apologies (and condolences) for the assault upon your ears.
2) I should also give you warning that this video contains almost more sugar than humanly bearable. Definitely not for the diabetic of faint of stomach. But then, hey, it is my wedding anniversary.
3) The song is I'm Yours by Jason Mraz - another difficult song to sing (to be fair, the main reason for that is because I can't sing). In some ways, its easier than Bad Day while more difficult in others. Although the pitch of this song is also high, it doesn't vary as much which makes it easier to maintain the pitch. However, the strange pacing of the lyrics makes it difficult to sing unless you are extremely familiar with the song.
4) The song itself is a lovely song with some nice lyrics. If it sounds familiar, its because it has currently been in the US Top 100 billboard for a record breaking 70+ weeks. I really recommend you check out the original Jason Mraz version here (or here for a live rendition)
To celebrate this joyous occasion, I created another video for your amusement.
As with before, some notes
1) Again, if you listened to the video, my apologies (and condolences) for the assault upon your ears.
2) I should also give you warning that this video contains almost more sugar than humanly bearable. Definitely not for the diabetic of faint of stomach. But then, hey, it is my wedding anniversary.
3) The song is I'm Yours by Jason Mraz - another difficult song to sing (to be fair, the main reason for that is because I can't sing). In some ways, its easier than Bad Day while more difficult in others. Although the pitch of this song is also high, it doesn't vary as much which makes it easier to maintain the pitch. However, the strange pacing of the lyrics makes it difficult to sing unless you are extremely familiar with the song.
4) The song itself is a lovely song with some nice lyrics. If it sounds familiar, its because it has currently been in the US Top 100 billboard for a record breaking 70+ weeks. I really recommend you check out the original Jason Mraz version here (or here for a live rendition)
Friday, September 4, 2009
I'm not drunk
Despite appearances to the contrary, I just wanna clarify that I'm not drunk.
Really.
I'm just v happy.
:)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Marvel vs Disney
Now here's a matchup that you might not have expected.
If you've been watching the news, then you will know that Disney acquired Marvel over the weekend. Which, potentially, is exciting news. I say potentially because the natural fear is that Disney will interfere with Marvel's operations and make Marvel too kid friendly.
However, if you know anything about Marvel, then you know that there really isn't anything to worry about. Even if I discount that Marvel has never been too risque, there is a separate Marvel Kids lineup which has kid friendly versions of all Marvel heros and villains anyway. Frankly, I doubt that even Disney could make them even more sugary. Besides, when you consider the history of Pixar, then you have pretty good evidence that Disney will probably let Marvel do its own thing without too much interference.
What has been great about the merger though is the creativity of the internet after the announcement. If you jump on Google or Flickr and search for "Marvel Disney mashup", you will find a veritable plethora of images, drawn by fans, imagining what would happen if Marvel characters merged with Disney characters - some of which are absolutely hilarious.
Despite the fact that I'm a huge Spidey fan, I have to say that the best one I've seen so far is by James Sheng here.
The juxtapositon of the Hulk, with his trademark grimace, and the silly Mickey Mouse hat is simply priceless. This image alone makes the merger worthwhile!
If you've been watching the news, then you will know that Disney acquired Marvel over the weekend. Which, potentially, is exciting news. I say potentially because the natural fear is that Disney will interfere with Marvel's operations and make Marvel too kid friendly.
However, if you know anything about Marvel, then you know that there really isn't anything to worry about. Even if I discount that Marvel has never been too risque, there is a separate Marvel Kids lineup which has kid friendly versions of all Marvel heros and villains anyway. Frankly, I doubt that even Disney could make them even more sugary. Besides, when you consider the history of Pixar, then you have pretty good evidence that Disney will probably let Marvel do its own thing without too much interference.
What has been great about the merger though is the creativity of the internet after the announcement. If you jump on Google or Flickr and search for "Marvel Disney mashup", you will find a veritable plethora of images, drawn by fans, imagining what would happen if Marvel characters merged with Disney characters - some of which are absolutely hilarious.
Despite the fact that I'm a huge Spidey fan, I have to say that the best one I've seen so far is by James Sheng here.
The juxtapositon of the Hulk, with his trademark grimace, and the silly Mickey Mouse hat is simply priceless. This image alone makes the merger worthwhile!
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